Ericsson launched a new software bundle designed to strengthen 5G Standalone (SA) network capabilities, including network slicing, Massive MIMO and time-critical communications.
The Swedish vendor said the toolkit is designed for communications service providers to deliver use cases with high requirements on throughput, reliability and latency at agreed performance levels. Examples include lag-free mobile cloud gaming, video conferencing, live broadcasting, remote-controlled machines/vehicles, public safety services and future XR applications.
"Ericsson is at the forefront of global 5G network leadership, extending connectivity to all corners of the world. We're reshaping connectivity and facilitating a seamless transition from ‘best-effort’ mobile broadband to premium experiences with service-level agreements,” said Sibel Tombaz, head of Product Line 5G RAN at Ericsson, in a statements. “Our new innovative software toolkit empowers our customers to unlock advanced 5G applications through differentiated connectivity. This not only guarantees on-demand service excellence but also propels us toward our vision of networks as a platform.”
According to Ericsson’s latest ConsumerLab report, 20% of smartphone users are seeking differentiated 5G connectivity and they’re willing to pay a premium of up to 11% for a 5G plan that ensures elevated network performance.
Ericsson outlined these four software toolkit targets:
- Enhanced Massive MIMO software algorithms for channel-aware Multi-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO) pairing and optimal beamforming selection based on user velocity.
- Radio Access Network (RAN) slicing advancements with intent-based automation for Automated Radio Resource Partitioning and Rate and Delay Control Scheduling to meet target delivery on a 1 millisecond (ms) basis. Efficient service-level agreement (SLA) fulfillment is enabled by real-time automation.
- Improved consistent low latency capabilities of time-critical communication, with Uplink Configured Grant and L4S for superior quality of experience even during network congestion and under poor radio conditions. This promises up to 90 ms latency improvement in a high load scenario.
- Data boost upsell and L4S support in 5G core, which allows users to purchase a boost on top of their existing subscription through notification to the device as well as new capabilities to enable and monetize L4S for selected subscription packages.
Ericsson’s press release includes a quote from Changsoon Choi, VP, Network Service Differentiation and Convergence at Deutsche Telekom (DT).
“Our innovation focus at Deutsche Telekom is on developing new differentiated services,” Choi stated. “Working with Ericsson and partners we have demonstrated the quality of experience benefits of a consistent low latency and actively pushed the ecosystem in this area. We now welcome the launch of 5G slicing and L4S in Ericsson’s RAN software offering as we prepare the next steps to bring the benefits to our customers.”
Earlier this month, DT announced the offering of its first commercial 5G network slicing service, which provides stable broadcasting of live events. The 5G Live Video Production Service is already being used by the German TV channel RTL Deutschland.