Ericsson in world-first 5G network slicing trial with Deutsche Telekom and Samsung

Ericsson in world-first 5G network slicing trial with Deutsche Telekom and Samsung The trial showcased the benefits of 5G end-to-end (E2E) network slicing optimized for cloud virtual reality game streaming, while also allowing service providers to offer customer-focused service assurance.

Ericsson, Deutsche Telekom, and Samsung have successfully completed the world’s first 5G end-to-end (E2E) network slicing trial, which was carried out at Deutsche Telekom’s Bonn lab on a Samsung S21 commercial device tethered to a VR headset. This customer-focused innovation shows the benefits of network slicing optimized for cloud VR game streaming. The trial used a commercial-grade 5G standalone (SA) infrastructure provided by Ericsson, including Radio Access Network (RAN), 5G Cloud Core, slice orchestration and ordering automation.

Through 5G E2E network slicing, different service characteristics and quality parameters can be provided to each slice and adapted to customer needs with full isolation between slices. By creating multiple virtual networks on a single physical network infrastructure, service providers can develop new, differentiated services and business models without having to compromise on quality.

The test was carried out for a cloud VR streaming game use case with two independent E2E network slices consisting of a default mobile broadband slice and a cloud VR gaming–optimized slice. The gaming slice was designed and configured to enable higher throughput and stable low latency, while also providing resource isolation between the two slices. The trial case demonstrated a superior experience on the gaming slice even under congested network conditions. The trial also saw the successful achievement of another important world-first milestone- Namely the introduction of a 5G UE slicing policy feature (UE route selection policy, or URSP) that allows a device to steer applications and services with specific requirements to a defined slice.. This means customers can experience great service quality by serving applications with the right network slice.

Claudia Nemat, Board Member, Technology & Innovation, Deutsche Telekom, says: “5G SA Network Slicing sets a foundation for the creation of new service offerings to consumer and enterprise customers. As an experienced focused company, it is essential that we demonstrate the value of 5G slicing for our customers lives. As a world’s first, our unique collaboration with Ericsson and Samsung to provide slices to commercial devices shines a light on how we can bring these benefits to our customers.”

Erik Ekudden, Group CTO at Ericsson says: “Network slicing is a key enabler for the monetization of 5G. New digital services to consumers and enterprises become a reality because the technology makes it possible to create fit-for-purpose software for defined virtual networks with defined characteristics.

To bring these services to the market, it is vital for operators to start from within their own business and to collaborate with customers, as well as relevant ecosystem players to demonstrate value creation and technical readiness. We are very proud to closely collaborate with Deutsche Telekom as one of the globally leading operators, and with Samsung, to bring the value of network slicing to the market.”

Additional info about the demo This demo allowed the partners to explore multiple capabilities of 5G E2E network slicing. Theseincluded the verification of stable latency and guaranteed throughput in a congested network; the automated creation of different slices with infrastructure resource isolation and service differentiation using Ericsson 5G RAN slicing solution; and Business Support System (BSS) integration for automated slice and user profile provisioning through E2E slice orchestration.

Source: Ericsson

Vodafone trials remotely assisted surgeries powered by 5G

5G isn’t just about using the internet faster – it could also save lives, and there’s no clearer example of that than in the trials that Vodafone has announced it’s carrying out with Proximie (a global health technology business and platform).

Proximie (the platform) allows clinicians and surgeons to remotely access operating rooms or catheterisation labs from anywhere in the world, so they can assist with training or oversee surgeries, and currently the platform is being trialled over Vodafone’s 5G network in the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, and University Hospital Llandough.

This is more than just a video feed though. Proximie allows clinicians to virtually attend the operating room, combining technologies like augmented reality and AI, so that they can, for example, have their hands superimposed on the video feed of a patient’s anatomy, so they can give precise instructions of the kind you’d usually need to be there in person for.

Proximie also allows for notes, sketches, and anatomical diagrams to be overlayed. Of course, as you can imagine when it comes to something as serious as surgery, having fast, seamless connectivity for a platform like this is vital, and that’s why 5G is such an important technology for it.

Shorter waits and better care. Vodafone states that the trials – which are used both in surgery and to provide colonoscopy training to nurses – have been successful so far, and they should allow for more patients to be seen in a shorter time, as well as ensuring that every patient has access to the best possible healthcare. During the ongoing pandemic this sort of technology is even more important, since it allows training to be carried out without people having to travel or be in the same room, but even post-Covid it’s clear that Proximie and similar services could have a real impact on healthcare – with the help of 5G. This isn’t the first trial of 5G’s potential in healthcare either. Vodafone for its part has previously built a standalone 5G network at Coventry University, which is being used to support training for student nurses and allied health professionals, while the NHS has trialled the use of 5G to remotely monitor patients in their own homes.

5G isn’t just about using the internet faster – it could also save lives, and there’s no clearer example of that than in the trials that Vodafone has announced it’s carrying out with Proximie (a global health technology business and platform). Proximie (the platform) allows clinicians and surgeons to remotely access operating rooms or catheterisation labs from anywhere in the world, so they can assist with training or oversee surgeries, and currently the platform is being trialled over Vodafone’s 5G network in the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, and University Hospital Llandough. This is more than just a video feed though. Proximie allows clinicians to virtually attend the operating room, combining technologies like augmented reality and AI, so that they can, for example, have their hands superimposed on the video feed of a patient’s anatomy, so they can give precise instructions of the kind you’d usually need to be there in person for. Proximie also allows for notes, sketches, and anatomical diagrams to be overlayed. Of course, as you can imagine when it comes to something as serious as surgery, having fast, seamless connectivity for a platform like this is vital, and that’s why 5G is such an important technology for it.

Shorter waits and better care. Vodafone states that the trials – which are used both in surgery and to provide colonoscopy training to nurses – have been successful so far, and they should allow for more patients to be seen in a shorter time, as well as ensuring that every patient has access to the best possible healthcare. During the ongoing pandemic this sort of technology is even more important, since it allows training to be carried out without people having to travel or be in the same room, but even post-Covid it’s clear that Proximie and similar services could have a real impact on healthcare – with the help of 5G. This isn’t the first trial of 5G’s potential in healthcare either. Vodafone for its part has previously built a standalone 5G network at Coventry University, which is being used to support training for student nurses and allied health professionals, while the NHS has trialled the use of 5G to remotely monitor patients in their own homes.

Source: James Rogerson. 5G.co.uk

West Midlands welcomes the UK’s first 5G connected ‘Road Sensor Network’ targeting congestion

Transport bosses are harnessing the power of 5G technology to cut traffic congestion on some of the West Midlands busiest roads.

A congestion busting network of 5G sensors will relay live traffic information to the regional control centre to enable swift action to be taken as queues build up – perhaps diverting buses, implementing diversions and issuing instant warnings to motorists.

The traffic data will also be used to spot traffic trends and help plan future transport development. We have joined forces with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) to work on the project to demonstrate how 5G technology can make a major impact on our road network.

The project centres around the Key Route Network, a set of A and B roads equivalent to 7% of the available network but which carry over half of all traffic within the region.

This has resulted in congestion hot-spots affecting drivers and bus passengers alike something which the Road Sensor Networks project hopes to alleviate. In its first phase, the project aims to capture a more granular picture of traffic flow through the deployment of various of 5G enabled sensors, radar and cameras across the key route network. This insight will prove critical in reducing congestion and predicting and managing increasing levels of traffic particularly during major events or incidents.

TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has been working with partners such as WSP, Siemens, Earthsense and Vodafone in delivering the project.

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street, who chairs the WMCA, said: “This sensor network is yet another example of how the West Midlands is at the forefront of 5G technology and the cutting edge of transport innovation. 5G is far more than just quicker streaming of movies, and this works shows the difference it will make to people’s everyday lives across the region. “The Road Sensor Network project will form a key part of planning and developing our future transport network, allowing us access to data that would otherwise have not been possible without 5G. Projects like this show how critical it was we got ahead of the game and won the right to be the UK’s first regional 5G testbed back in 2018.” “The Road Sensor Network project will help make our roads safer and more efficient, this will give the West Midlands a critical advantage when considered for future development and investments.”

The project supports the Regional Transport Coordination Centre (RTCC) and Local Authority Traffic Control Centres to provide real-time anonymised insights about traffic flow and capacity on the roads.

The project will also allow us to develop better traffic models or “digital twins” allowing better understanding of changes in travel behaviour as the region comes out of lockdown. These models also allow us to prioritise road improvements and support new developments, key to “building back better”. To date the region has relied on manual surveys of traffic flows using pneumatic tubes or limited coverage of CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to gauge the number of vehicles and journeys being undertaken on the region’s roads. This approach is limited in terms of the data and information it provides, making it difficult to accurately predict or model transport activity on the road network.

5G’s high speed and low latency (the time from action to reaction) enables the data captured to be anonymised and transferred to the RTCC in near-real time, building a more accurate simulation model of anticipated traffic and improving congestion management. It also supports the collection of a much richer set of data including pedestrian, cycle movements and supports evaluation of Future Transport Zone initiatives such as demand responsive transport and E-Scooters. The Road Sensor Network will also deploy environmental sensors to gain greater insight into noise levels, particulates, CO and CO2 counts, as well as weather and humidity data. This kind of information will support the TfWM in meeting air quality objectives and help the region reduce its emissions footprint; which in turn will improve the health and wellbeing of local citizens and road users.

Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council said “Making the regions roads greener, better connected and less congested will bring about a great number of benefits to residents and local businesses. Digital solutions such as the Road Sensor Network will be critical in delivering the insights necessary to action such tangible long-term change.” Chris Holmes, our transport programme director said: “The Road Sensor Network project is a great example of how deliberate application of connected technologies can provide the insights necessary to solve some of our biggest transport problems. “The anonymised, GDPR compliant information captured during the project will be sufficient to start improving the flow of traffic across the West Midlands’ Key Route Network and improve access to the region. Better connected roads will ultimately support local financial growth as it will be quicker and easier to travel for business, leisure, or academia.”

The next stage of the £5.8 million Road Sensor Network Project will see around 280 sensors provided by Vivacity and Vaisala deployed across the seven constituent authorities of the West Midlands Combined Authority area, before its conclusion in March 2022. It is hoped the findings will support other regions in developing similar networks to ease congestion hotspots and more intuitively manage traffic flow.

For more information, visit: https://www.tfwm.org.uk/strategy/innovation-future-mobility/