Orange Slices with Ericsson

The telecom industry, seriously, it’s like a teenager perpetually reinventing itself. Always chasing the next shiny gadget, the next “it” technology. Right now, all eyes are on 5G, promising a world of faster downloads, smarter homes, and self-driving cars. But to truly unlock 5G’s potential, we gotta talk about network slicing. It’s the unsung hero, the behind-the-scenes wizard making all the 5G magic happen. Basically, network slicing is like taking one big physical network and chopping it up into smaller, virtual networks, each customized for a specific purpose. Think of it like this: you’ve got one pizza, but you can slice it into sections – one for the pepperoni lovers, one for the vegetarians, and one for the weirdos who like pineapple (no judgment…mostly). Each slice gets the toppings and attention it needs. This slicing allows operators to offer tailored services, which opens up new revenue streams in a rapidly digitizing world. And it’s not just some pipe dream; there’s heavy collaboration happening between major players like Orange, Vodafone, Telefónica, and Ericsson to make it a reality. So, let’s dig into what makes network slicing the future for telecom operators who wanna stay ahead. Are we sitting comfortably? Then let’s begin!

Slicing is Caring: Automation and Efficiency

Yo, automation is the name of the game. Remember the days of manually configuring networks? Ugh, total drag. Network slicing throws that out the window with automation that would make even the most seasoned techies drool. The collaboration between Orange and Ericsson is a shining example. Orange tapped Ericsson’s orchestration and assurance solution to speed up the deployment of 5G Standalone (SA) network slicing. Which in layman terms mean? Like, Orange can now deliver specialized services optimized for various use cases a lot quicker.

But it doesn’t stop there, seriously. Orange Belgium and Ericsson even finished a 5G slicing automation project, boasting some serious network orchestration. This dynamic duo is expanding cooperation all across Europe, which is a concrete declaration to regard network slicing as a future network basic component. And we’re not just talking about shaving off a few minutes here and there. Tests have shown that network slices can be configured and deployed in under 35 minutes, a seismic shift compared to the old ways. Telefónica, not to be outdone, also teamed up with Ericsson and saw similar automation successes.

What’s the hustle? Speed and efficiency, baby! Operators need to be agile, responding to market demands and offering unique stuff like lightning. Automation allows them to do just that. Furthermore, Orange France uses Ericsson tech to modernize networks, resulting in a 30% reduction in energy consumption, demonstrating a simultaneous commitment to sustainability and performance enhancements. See? Network slicing isn’t just about speed; it’s also about being green(er).

Show Me the Money: New Revenue Streams and Vertical Markets

Forget dial-up modems and plain old phone calls. Network slicing opens up a whole new world for telecom operators to line their pockets. It enables them to create custom services for specific industries, also known as “verticals.”

Consider Singapore’s Singtel, who partnered with Ericsson and implemented network slicing at the Singapore Grand Prix. By providing solid connectivity to mobile video app subscribers even in saturated locations, Singtel improved the user experience and increased on-site sales. Hello, revenue boost! And T-Mobile is using network slicing to support emergency services, underlining the potential for crucial tasks.

Vodafone and Ericsson showed downlink speeds of 260Mbps in a lab test. Guess what. The ability to ensure particular performance features is key for attracting enterprise clients who need things from their connectivity partners. The revenue potential is so massive that a partnership including AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone came up from Ericsson to take advantage of this opportunity by creating and selling APIs to developers. Orange even intends to launch a special department concentrated on recording growth from enterprise adoption of these telecom APIs, emphasizing the strategic value of this flourishing sector. Sylva, an open-source telco cloud platform, is also an important role, supporting more efficient and effective distribution of network slicing technologies, according to Celfocus.

Scaling Up: The Future of Network Slicing

So where’s all this heading? The industry is looking at scaling network slicing and expanding its capabilities. Big time. Orange Wholesale plans to launch a 5G core Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) offer in 2025, helping smaller operators adopt 5G SA. Like a helping hand to those who cannot lift on their own. Sounds benevolent. Sounds strategic.

Wider collaborations and standardization are also being pushed. Telefónica and Orange are urging more industry support for the API joint venture. What’s more? The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and generative AI is also gaining traction, with Ericsson collaborating with Orange to drive innovation in OSS/BSS systems. To do well, they have to keep putting money into research and development and support open standards and interoperability. Network slicing is a major change in how telecom networks are planned, set up, and handled, paving the way for a more flexible, efficient, and unique existence. The ongoing partnerships between big operators and tech companies like Ericsson are essential for making this a reality and making the most of 5G.