BT Group, Ericsson, and Qualcomm showcase 5G network slicing breakthrough in UK

In a landmark technological trial, BT Group, in collaboration with Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., has successfully demonstrated the capabilities of 5G network slicing technology in the UK. This groundbreaking trial, which took place at Adastral Park, BT Group’s research and innovation hub, has set a new standard in both consumer and enterprise connectivity, utilizing Ericsson’s cutting-edge 5G Core and Radio Access Network technology with devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Mobile Platform.

The trial established distinct network slices for Gaming, Enterprise, and Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), showcasing the ability to allocate specific parts of the 5G SA network for dedicated uses. This ensures optimal performance for bandwidth-intensive activities like mobile gaming and video conferencing, even during network peak times, representing a significant step forward in network management and efficiency.

With mobile gaming traffic on EE’s network almost doubling since early 2023, the need for consistent, low-latency, and immersive gaming experiences has never been greater. Network slicing emerges as a critical enabler, offering the potential to sustain performance growth in the 5G SA era.

The collaborative effort between BT Group, Ericsson, and Qualcomm Technologies showcased an optimal mobile cloud gaming experience on Nvidia’s GeForce Now platform, maintaining impressive throughput levels even under heavy background network loads. A gaming session on Fortnite, utilizing a Samsung S23 Ultra device equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Mobile Platform, highlighted the efficiency of network slicing and Ericsson’s Radio Resource Partitioning feature in delivering a smooth gaming experience.

Moreover, the trial underscored the significance of network slicing for enterprise applications, demonstrating consistent 4K video streaming and smooth operation of enterprise communication platforms. This was achieved through the strategic configuration of enterprise and eMBB slices and the innovative use of Ericsson’s 5G RAN Slicing feature.

Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group, emphasized the importance of network slicing in delivering new capabilities in the 5G SA era, marking a significant milestone towards the launch of BT Group’s own 5G SA network. Enrico Salvatori, Senior Vice President and President of Qualcomm Europe/MEA, expressed pride in the collaboration, highlighting the enhanced performance and flexibility brought about by 5G Standalone capabilities. Katherine Ainley, CEO of Ericsson UK & Ireland, pointed to the potential of 5G standalone and network slicing in offering tailored connectivity for various applications, driving market growth and innovation across new industries.

The successful demonstration by BT Group, Ericsson, and Qualcomm Technologies paves the way for a new era of tailored and efficient connectivity solutions, leveraging the power of 5G network slicing. This technological advancement promises to transform the consumer and enterprise experience, offering unprecedented performance and flexibility in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.