As 5G Standalone networks start to expand, network slicing has moved from concept to reality, enabling new revenue streams and innovative services. Far from being a future prospect, network slicing is here today, delivering tangible benefits to operators and customers alike.

Managing network slices: simplifying complexity, driving capability

Network slicing empowers operators to create multiple virtual networks on shared physical infrastructure, each tailored for specific use cases to meet customer requirements. While managing these slices can present challenges, advanced solutions are already in place to help, including end-to-end orchestration. Cloud-native, AI-powered management platforms like Samsung's comprehensive Service Management and Orchestration (SMO)/ RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) platform in the CognitiV Networks Operations Suite (NOS) handles complete slice lifecycle management across network domains to assist with: 

• Dynamic slice provisioning: Automated procedures to rapidly deploy and modify slices on-demand, adapting to changing customer needs in real time.
• Autonomous service assurance: Closed-loop automation and orchestration, powered by AI, to assure end-to-end and domain-level service level agreements (SLA), optimizing resource allocation across slices, and ensuring efficient network utilization.
• Open APIs: Exposed APIs to monitor and control all slices, simplifying operations in multi-vendor, multi-technology environments.

Ensuring SLAs in a sliced network

Meeting stringent SLAs is paramount for enterprise 5G services enabled by network slicing. Key requirements for SLA assurance include:

• Multi-domain, multi-layer visibility to monitor end-to-end slice performance
• Tailored Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) guarantees for each use case (latency, throughput, reliability, etc.)
• Comprehensive analytics to track SLA compliance
• Intelligent, automated troubleshooting for rapid issue resolution

Leading operators are deploying service assurance solutions for sliced 5G networks to provide a unified view across slices, automated anomaly detection and closed-loop optimization.

Real-world impacts highlight network slicing’s value: 

A prime example of network slicing's potential was demonstrated at a major auto racing event in Canada, attended by hundreds of thousands of fans, through a collaboration between Samsung and TELUS. This high-profile event showcased the power of advanced 5G networks and network slicing in action:

• The TELUS network, supported by Samsung, successfully handled visitor device connections, even during the most congested times.
• Speeds were significantly faster than the general network traffic, enhancing the user experience.
• Network slicing was employed to create a dedicated virtual network for payment services around the stadium.

This innovative use of slicing ensured secure, reliable, and fast payment processing despite high network traffic. It showed how network slicing can deliver tangible benefits in demanding, high-traffic scenarios while enabling specific use cases like secure financial transactions.

Another compelling demonstration emerged through Samsung's collaboration with KDDI in Japan for live sports broadcasting. Through the use of network slicing, the companies enabled:

• Successful transmission of high-quality live video streams from major sporting events, including professional baseball games and marathon races.
• Guaranteed consistent uplink speeds and low latency, allowing broadcasters to reduce production costs and setup time while achieving superior transmission quality.

Further, Samsung and KDDI conducted a field trial in January 2023, which successfully completed SLA assurance network slicing on a live 5G standalone (SA) network in Tokyo, Japan. The companies also demonstrated network slicing with a RIC for the first time in the industry back in 2020.

Monetization potential and readiness

The monetization opportunity for network slicing is significant. A recent report forecasts that the global network slicing market will reach $1.2 billion by 2025, growing at a 51% CAGR.

Key monetization use cases include:

• IoT and connected devices
• Vertical industry applications like healthcare, manufacturing, and smart cities
• On-demand consumer services (e.g., purchasing extra bandwidth for gaming)

However, realizing this revenue potential requires:

• Flexible charging models aligned to slice-specific SLAs and QoS
• Self-service portals for enterprise customers to order and modify slices
• Integration between slice management and business support system (BSS)/operations support system (OSS) for automated billing

While some operators are trialing basic slice-based services, fully dynamic, on-demand slicing with automated provisioning and charging is still evolving.

The verdict: network slicing has arrived

Network slicing is no longer a technology of the future – it's delivering value today. From handling massive crowds at international sporting events to enabling secure, high-performance enterprise services, network slicing is proving its worth in real-world scenarios.

As 5G standalone networks roll out and slice management capabilities evolve, we'll see even more sophisticated and diverse slice-based services emerge. The foundational technologies – from cloud-native orchestration platforms to AI-powered assurance solutions – are already in place and continually improving.

Operators who recognize that network slicing has moved from potential to reality are positioning themselves at the forefront of the 5G revolution. By leveraging this powerful capability now, they're not just preparing for the future – they're shaping it, opening new revenue streams, and delivering unprecedented value to their customers.

In the race to capitalize on 5G's full potential, network slicing isn't just ready for prime time – it's stealing the show. The future of networking is here, and it's sliced.