Nokia has launched end-to-end network slicing for 4G and 5G NR (New Radio), a global first according to the company. The solution has been developed in partnership with operators A1 Austria and Telia Finland. The new technology will allow operators to offer new mobile connectivity services for enterprise and industrial IoT applications, private wireless and fixed wireless access.

According to Nokia, its solution allows operators to start building network slicing services immediately with LTE and 5G NR. The slicing capability can be deployed via a software upgrade into existing LTE and 5G non-standalone (NSA) networks and subsequently 5G standalone (SA) networks. The slicing continuity between LTE and 5G NR allows operators to maximise network coverage for new mobile connectivity services.

The solution provides sliced mobile broadband connectivity from device to radio, transport, core, to applications in private and public networks and the cloud. 

The user and service-aware slicing functionality in Nokia radio access products is also supported in Nokia transport and core products with control, management and assurance systems. Nokia says that the solution supports all 4G and 5G devices and works in a multi-vendor environment.

Nokia’s slicing solution is being developed in collaboration with operators A1 and Telia, and is aimed at developing new service for enterprise, IoT, Fixed Wireless Access, applications and content related services. It is designed to enable new mobile end-to-end services with logical connections, security, quality and traffic management with service continuity across 4G and 5G networks. Private wireless slicing also makes possible new network functionalities for different applications, such as surveillance and automation.

Nokia is already trialling live 4G/5G slicing use cases with customers supported by a Software Defined Network (SDN) radio slice controller as well as a transport slice controller. 

The trial includes a Nokia cloud packet core slice orchestrator to support network deployment automation as well as an SD-WAN software solution providing a managed 4G/5G network slice to private and public cloud services. Nokia assurance systems are used to verify per slice KPIs as a part of Nokia’s E2E service orchestration.

“For our business customers, it will be a huge advantage to be able to benefit from dedicated mobile communication services, exclusive capacities, strong data security and transmission with high reliability and low latency. Network slicing in 4G and extended in 5G will play a key role in [developing] new market segments and revenue streams,” said Alexander Kuchar, Director of Technology and Future Services, A1 Telekom Austria Group. 

“With slicing, we can efficiently use our spectrum to deliver seamless and reliable connectivity and strengthen our … IoT position with nationwide deployment of new technologies like LTE-M and NB-IoT,” said Jari Collin, Chief Technology Officer, Telia Finland.

Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks, Nokia, said: “4G/5G slicing enables multiple new use cases which operators can start building now to create new revenue streams.”