The UAE operator will be able to use it to offer new premium slicing services across 5G, fixed wireless and fixed access on all devices
Long-time network partners Nokia and e& have announced they have trialled multi-access edge slicing which, when deployed, will offer the same subscriber experience across fixed and mobile access technologies. Using the tech, e& can offer premium slicing services across 4G/5G, fixed wireless access (FWA) and fixed access that can support several use cases and applications simultaneously.
Although the tech hasn’t been productised – or tested on user’s willingness to pay more – the operator could activate the slicing to achieve several interesting user cases. For example, a 4G/5G smartphone user could send business-sensitive information using a secure and high-performing network slice while also participating in a video call using another slice at the same time.
With a multi-sliced FWA or fixed network, a family could use one slice to access services such as HDTV streaming or cloud gaming while another slice could be used for home working via a laptop. Both slices could be tailored to have different network characteristics depending on their specific requirements such as routing, bit rate, QoS, latency and security.
Nokia’s slicing supports laptops, tablets, game consoles, IoT devices as well as 4G/5G smartphones including new URSP (UE Route Selection Policy) capable multi-slice smartphones. It can also be used for on-demand network slicing. For example, a subscriber could order and activate a slice for a gaming application running at the edge cloud with an enhanced network performance, low latency, and sliced edge.
“We are committed to driving the digital future by investing in new technologies and innovations and pave the way for revolutionising the industry,” said e& UAE CTIO Khalid Murshed. “We continuously focus on creating new value and multi-access edge slicing is an important step in providing innovative services for our customers.”
“Working closely with e& UAE is very important in developing innovative solutions,” said Nokia head of strategy and technology, mobile networks, Ari Kynäslahti. “With this latest innovation we can enable operators to provide premium enterprise and consumer services that enhance the customer experience.”
Multi-access edge slicing complements Nokia’s 5G edge slicing and recently announced edge cloud network slicing solution portfolio. Nokia has deepened its relationship with e& over a range of technologies. Last month the two announced they had successfully completed a cloud RAN trial with in-line acceleration over Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s ProLiant DL110 Gen11. That trial aimed to enable an enhanced 5G experience for end users and utilises e&’s existing mid-band carrier in the n78 (3.5GHz) band over its 5G standalone network.
Unsurprisingly, Nokia and e& UAE will be showcasing multi-access edge slicing on a live network at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.