Samsung demos SLA assurance network slicing in field trial on live 5G SA network with KDDI

Samsung Electronics has successfully demonstrated Service Level Agreements (SLA) assurance network slicing in a field trial conducted with KDDI in Tokyo, Japan. This is the first time in the industry that the companies have been able to create multiple network slices using a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) on a live 5G Standalone (SA) network.

Network slicing allows for the creation of multiple virtual networks within a single physical network infrastructure, each of which is tailored to a particular application or service, providing different users with distinct functions.

For this trial, which was conducted in Q4,2022, Samsung provided the RIC - a software-based component of the Open RAN architecture, to optimize the radio resources of the RAN and enhance the overall network quality.

Through this trial, the two companies demonstrated their capabilities of SLA assurance to create multiple network slices that meet SLA requirements, ensuring specific performance parameters like low latency and high throughput for each application. Samsung also proved the technical feasibility of multiple UE-based network slices with quality assurance using the RIC, which is capable of advanced control of RAN as defined by the O-RAN Alliance.

"Network slicing will open up countless opportunities, by allowing KDDI to offer tailor-made, high-performance connectivity, along with new capabilities and services, to its customers. This demonstration is another meaningful step forward in our efforts to advance technological innovation and enrich network services. We're excited to have accomplished this together with KDDI and look forward to continued collaboration," said Junehee Lee, Executive Vice President, Head of Global Sales & Marketing, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics.