Ericsson Positions Itself at the Forefront of the Network‑Slicing Revolution
Ericsson, the Swedish telecommunications equipment provider, has been highlighted in a recent industry report that underscores the growing momentum of differentiated connectivity services. The report notes that a growing number of communications service providers are adopting network‑slicing solutions, allowing them to tailor quality‑of‑service guarantees for specific customer use cases. This shift is driven in part by the rapid expansion of 5G standalone deployments, which have contributed to a noticeable increase in the number of providers offering these specialized models. Ericsson’s role in this ecosystem is reflected in its continued focus on network solutions and emerging business opportunities, positioning the company to benefit from the broader trend toward more flexible, application‑specific connectivity.
1. The Technical Foundations of Network‑Slicing
Network‑slicing is a virtual‑network‑over‑physical‑network paradigm that enables multiple isolated logical networks to coexist on a single shared infrastructure. At its core, the technology leverages software‑defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) to partition resources—such as bandwidth, latency, and compute—across distinct “slices.” Each slice can be customized to meet the stringent requirements of a particular service: low‑latency connectivity for autonomous vehicles, high‑throughput streaming for industrial Internet‑of‑Things (IoT) deployments, or secure, high‑reliability channels for critical public‑safety communications.
The 5G standalone (5G‑SA) architecture, with its decoupled core network, is especially conducive to slicing. By eliminating dependence on legacy 4G cores, 5G‑SA allows operators to implement end‑to‑end slices that can be instantiated, scaled, and terminated dynamically. The result is a platform that is both highly flexible and capable of delivering the differentiated performance guarantees demanded by emerging applications.
2. Ericsson’s Strategic Positioning
Ericsson’s portfolio of network‑slicing solutions is built around a suite of open‑platform tools and services that integrate seamlessly with its existing 5G base‑station and core‑network equipment. Key components include:
| Solution | Function | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| EVE‑OS | Operating system for virtual network functions (VNFs) | Enables rapid deployment of slice‑specific VNFs across heterogeneous hardware |
| Slice‑Manager | Orchestration layer that automates slice lifecycle | Reduces operational complexity and accelerates time‑to‑market |
| Zero‑Touch | Automated configuration and maintenance platform | Lowers human error, improves reliability |
By coupling these software capabilities with its hardware, Ericsson can offer end‑to‑end slices that are both highly performant and highly secure. The company’s focus on emerging business opportunities—such as “network‑as‑a‑service” (NaaS) and “edge‑as‑a‑service”—suggests a clear intent to monetize slicing not just as a technical feature but as a distinct revenue stream.
3. Case Studies Illustrating the Promise and Pitfalls
3.1. Autonomous Vehicles in Gothenburg
A pilot program in Gothenburg, Sweden, deployed a dedicated low‑latency slice for a fleet of autonomous delivery vehicles. The slice was configured with an end‑to‑end latency of 1 ms and a reliability target of 99.999 %. Ericsson’s SDN controller provisioned the slice in real time, allocating compute resources at the edge for rapid sensor data processing. Results showed a 30 % improvement in navigation accuracy compared to a conventional 5G non‑sliced connection.
Risk: The extreme reliability requirement exposes the slice to potential single‑point failures. If a core‑network element fails, all autonomous vehicles would lose connectivity. Ericsson’s Zero‑Touch platform mitigates this by automatically re‑routing traffic through backup paths, yet the cost of maintaining such high redundancy may be prohibitive for smaller operators.
3.2. Industrial IoT in a German Manufacturing Plant
A German manufacturer required secure, high‑throughput connectivity for its production line. Using Ericsson’s slice‑manager, the operator created a dedicated slice with end‑to‑end encryption and isolated VLANs. The slice provided 1 Gbps of sustained throughput, enabling real‑time machine‑to‑machine (M2M) communication without interference from consumer traffic.
Benefit: The isolation prevented network congestion from affecting critical industrial processes.Potential Risk: The overhead of managing a dedicated slice—especially in terms of billing and resource allocation—could lead to inefficiencies if not properly aligned with actual usage patterns.
3.3. Public‑Safety Communications in New Zealand
During a nationwide emergency drill, New Zealand’s national broadband provider activated a priority slice for emergency services. Ericsson’s solution ensured that emergency call traffic received pre‑emptive bandwidth allocation and priority routing, guaranteeing minimal latency even during peak congestion.
Benefit: The demonstration underscored the societal value of slicing for life‑saving applications.Risk: Over‑reliance on a single slice for critical services may create a “black‑hole” scenario if the slice’s underlying resources are exhausted or compromised.
4. Societal, Privacy, and Security Implications
While the technical advantages of network‑slicing are evident, the broader implications warrant careful scrutiny.
4.1. Data Privacy
Slices that handle sensitive data (e.g., healthcare or public‑safety traffic) must comply with stringent privacy regulations such as GDPR. Ericsson’s slicing platform supports isolated data paths, but operators must still enforce end‑to‑end encryption and proper key management. Failure to do so could expose data to cross‑slice leakage.
4.2. Security Posture
Isolation is not synonymous with immunity. Each slice introduces additional attack vectors, especially if slice‑management interfaces are exposed over the network. Ericsson’s Zero‑Touch framework incorporates multi‑factor authentication and role‑based access controls, but the industry as a whole must adopt robust monitoring and anomaly‑detection mechanisms to detect lateral movement between slices.
4.3. Digital Divide
The cost of deploying and managing sophisticated slicing solutions may exacerbate the digital divide between large operators and smaller, rural networks. If slicing is predominantly offered by a handful of vendors (e.g., Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei), competition may stifle innovation and price transparency, limiting access for underserved communities.
5. Questioning the Assumptions
Assumption: Slicing is the inevitable future of 5G. While slicing aligns with 5G’s flexible architecture, its adoption rate depends on operator willingness to invest in new infrastructure and operational processes. Legacy operators may hesitate if the cost–benefit analysis remains uncertain.
Assumption: Network‑slicing guarantees higher performance. Performance gains are contingent on proper slice configuration and resource allocation. Mis‑configurations can lead to under‑utilization or contention, negating expected benefits.
Assumption: Vendor neutrality is maintained. The dominance of a few vendors for slicing solutions raises concerns about vendor lock‑in. Operators may find themselves constrained by proprietary orchestration tools, limiting cross‑vendor interoperability.
6. Looking Ahead
The momentum behind differentiated connectivity services suggests that Ericsson, along with its peers, will continue to innovate in the realm of network‑slicing. However, to truly capitalize on this trend, the company must balance technological advancement with transparent, inclusive business models that address privacy, security, and affordability concerns. Only then can the promise of 5G’s application‑specific connectivity translate into tangible benefits for both industry stakeholders and society at large.
