Ericsson and Telefónica Redefine On-Demand Network Slicing

Ericsson and Telefónica, have defined and tested a worldwide-first, easy, and on-demand process for consumers to experience the true benefits of a premium 5G network connection with enhanced performance characteristics leveraging on network slicing. The features are available in Android 14 from December 2023.

This proof of concept (PoC) represents a new era of innovation for consumer experience and was tested at the 5TONIC Lab in Madrid, Spain. It will enable subscribers to enhance the service on their devices via time-restricted premium subscriptions that are available for on-demand purchase, delivered via a dedicated slice of the network provided by Telefonica. The technology involved will empower Telefonica to offer targeted, premium slicing packages to subscribers. This successful test is the latest milestone in Ericsson and Telefónica’s longstanding and ongoing network-slicing journey which started in 2021.

” This work is a step forward in Telefonica’s customer journey into slicing and enabling monetization of Network assets in the residential market. This mechanism allows on-demand session-based services associated with a tailored quality of experience. Telefonica is pleased with the level of maturity reached through Ericsson’s technology and a large set of device manufacturers such as Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi,” said Cayetano Carbajo, Director of Core & Transport in Telefonica CTIO at Telefónica.

“This new approach to network slicing, making innovative use of Ericsson Dynamic Network Slicing, represents a key milestone in Ericsson and Telefónica’s ongoing network slicing journey and is set to drive consumer experience to new innovation heights. It will enable subscribers to, for example, access exclusive interactive content during a live concert or subscribe to premium experiences during specific events that involve the use of a network slice,” added Mats Karlsson, Head of Solution Area Business and Operations Support Systems at Ericsson.

The on-demand process was defined in GSMA TS.43 specification and has been developed and implemented in collaboration between Telefonica network, Android OS in devices, and Ericsson supplying the underlying network architecture including its Secure Entitlement Server (SES). Ericsson Charging is used to secure proper monetization of 5G slicing. These required features are already available to Ericsson customers.