New platforms in the networking business often are hard to classify and categorize. So there is criticism of “fake 5G” or 5G Evolution as AT&T calls it (advanced 4G using infrastructure that will be shared with 5G) in some quarters, even if networking professionals all agree 5G will be built in large part on advanced 4G infrastructure.
In the same way, we might not all agree on how network slicing, network functions virtualization and software defined networks relate to each other. Some might argue they are nested subdomains. Others might see them as related but distinct domains. Eventually that all will be sorted out. The point is that common understanding has yet to develop fully.
Network slicing is the ability to create multiple customized networks operating on a common physical infrastructure.
Network slicing often is said to be an outcome of network functions virtualization, and many would agree that NFV underpins and enables network slicing. But network slicing (creation of customized private networks) perhaps is more-properly viewed as an application of software defined networks, in the same way that a software-defined wide area network is an SDN-enabled product.
There probably also is dispute about the business value of platform innovations. Is upside primarily on the operating or capex reduction fronts, new revenue creation areas, or a combination of all those elements? The answers might be somewhat subtle.
Network slicing should enable new revenue generation through market stimulation, faster time to market and opportunities from smaller niche services, Ericsson argues.
Market stimulation will come from offering of new customized service level agreements and self-service opportunities, Ericsson believes. But the upside is going to hard to quantify, relying on the value of better service performance, customer experience and customer satisfaction.
Smaller niche service opportunities will become economically viable for operators to explore, providing value through “sandboxing, temporary events and tailored business models,” Ericsson argues.
Shortened service delivery cycles and simplified, tailored operations will be possible because processes are streamlined.
Capex efficiency Infrastructure efficiency - Network optimizations can be made with slicing, due to the implementation of an efficient traffic model with service type segregation.
Functions in network slices are dynamically scaled according to traffic or service demand, so network resources are more-efficiently used.
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