In a press release, the company said it found a way to allow Android users to buy and activate network slices on-demand from their operators. Network slicing is a practice of splitting (or “slicing”) a physical network infrastructure into multiple virtual networks, where separate slices can provide better, customizable services for apps, or similar. For example, a user could activate a new slice via local cloud gaming applications to achieve better network performance and lower latency. A person at a sports event could activate a 5G slice to access instant highlight replays.
Network slicing’s biggest selling points are the elimination of network congestion that often comes with public networks, and the idea that organizations no longer need to set up standalone, separate networks, for security and reliability purposes. With the new feature, operators will be able to monetize 5G slicing services, Nokia further claims, by offering premium network slices, for example.
The Finnish telecommunications giant claims to be the first one to implement 5G network slicing across Device-RAN-Transport-Core-Applications with management and assurance. The new offering will support all 4G and 5G devices, it was further said, which should allow mobile operators to tap into a vast ecosystem of devices and network assets like spectrums and coverage.
