Network Slicing is essentially the ability to divide your network into individual use cases, each tailored to provide specialised services. Traditionally, in 4G, the APN (Access Point Name) was probably the earliest form of network slicing in a mobile network, allowing operators to divide their networks according to service requirements.
Accurate 5G network slicing, as defined by 3GPP (with isolated network instances and separate control and user plane handling), requires 5G Core (5GC), which is only used in 5G SA.
- A network slice deployment comprises the UE, NG-RAN, the control plane (e.g., AMF, PCF, SMF), and the user plane (e.g., UPF) network functions.
- Each network slice is identified by an S-NSSAI, which contains a Slice Service Type (SST) that indicates the service for which the network slice is suitable.
A network operator can use either standardised SST values (i.e., 1 for enhanced mobile broadband, 2 for ultra-reliable low-latency communications, 3 for massive IoT, 4 for V2X, and 5 for high-performance machine-type communications) or non-standardised SST values that can be locally defined.
Should a Special UE support Network Slicing?
Yes, The UE should support 5G SA and be configured with a feature (USRP – UE Route Selection Policy) that allows it to select an S-NSSAI based on the application it wishes to use (depending on, e.g., quality of service requirements of the application)
Samsung is one of the first device manufacturers to have configured URSP for its Galaxy S24 Ultra.
What about the Network Side?
The network should support Application Detection and Control (ADC), which is a function in the PCF (Policy Control Function) and SMF (Session Management Function) of the 5G Core to identify applications or traffic flows at the network side, apply policies such as quality of service, charging, or redirection and enables real-time traffic classification and prioritization.
Is there any commercial deployment for Network slicing?
Yes, For example, Singtel in Singapore introduced Singtel 5G+.
– It’s an advanced “network slicing” innovation that delivers a new standard of connectivity and priority experiences with three offers:
- Singtel 5G+ -> The only network with 700Mhz for the best nationwide coverage, even deep indoors.
- Singtel 5G+ Ehanced -> More coverage, more speed, always with 2X faster speed in every moment.
- Singtel 5G+ Priority -> First on the Priority Network Lane that’s 4X faster, First to be served always, and First to detect emerging threats.