Ericsson and Deutsche Telekom have successfully demonstrated 5G end-to-end network slicing enabling a ‘performance on demand’ model for video streaming, unlocking new 5G service opportunities where customers can control and alter their service automatically, based on performance quality needs.
Ericsson and Deutsche Telekom have successfully demonstrated the use of 5G end-to-end network slicing in a customer-centric service delivery model for video streaming, where a customer can control and adapt slice performance based on demand.
This proof-of-concept sets a benchmark for ‘network-as-a-service’ innovation, revealing how 5G network slicing can enable a new level of flexibility and control for enterprise customers. It also successfully implemented fully automated configuration, provisioning and end-to-end orchestration of the slicing service.
The partners worked together on the proof-of-concept in Deutsche Telekom’s lab in Bonn, using a commercial-grade 5G Standalone (SA) network provided by Ericsson to implement end-to-end network slicing infrastructure and 5G integration of slice-specific network exposure – and explore the benefits they can offer for enterprise.
Video production a pilot for future use cases
Video production services provided an ideal demonstration of the benefits on offer, where a video director, serviced by a dedicated ‘video production’ slice, uses an application to choose between multi-camera streams in low and high resolution for a broadcast.
When a high-resolution stream is selected, the application automatically requests a higher quality of service class via the Application Programmer Interface (API) in the ’video production’ slice. After receiving a confirmation from the network, the application switches the streaming quality from low to high, allocating additional network resources to ensure an uninterrupted high-quality video link – even in congested network conditions.
Network slicing for service-specific performance
Network slicing is a key architectural feature in 5G SA. Network slicing is essentially a set of logical (virtual) networks, set up on a single shared physical network infrastructure. Each logical network is designed to serve a specific business purpose, bringing together all the required network resources – optimally configured and connected end-to-end.
Different service and quality parameters can then be provided to each 'slice', tailored to the customer’s needs. These service-centered features and delivery options unlock new, differentiated services and business models for enterprise customers.
Erik Ekudden, Group CTO at Ericsson
Standardized network exposure APIs (Application Programmer Interfaces) provide mechanisms which allow third-party authorized applications to monitor and adjust the behavior of such “slices” within the boundaries of their subscribed services.
Alex Choi, SVP Technology Strategy & Innovation, Deutsche Telekom
The groundbreaking integration of network exposure capability into 5G network slicing lays a technical foundation for 5G service innovation. Working with partners like Ericsson, we will continue to explore 5G Standalone’s potential as we seek to build a flexible platform-based ecosystem with customer-centric, network-as-a-service models.
