Finnish technology firm Nokia and Singapore telecommunications company Singtel announced a collaboration that would test 5G network slicing capabilities based on a Network as a Service (NaaS) approach. The two companies are looking at providing customers with 5G use cases and applications specifically customized to their business requirements.

The 5G network slicing trials will be conducted and tested with organizations later this year in Singapore.

“Network slicing is a key 5G feature where multiple virtual networks can be created atop one physical network. This is the latest in a series of trials that Singtel and its technology partners are working on to develop 5G use cases in areas such as cloud gaming, manufacturing, and maritime operations.”

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Singtel will have control and visibility by utilizing the NaaS platform, which is enabled by Nokia’s operations suite and cloud management products that allow automating the creation and delivery of digital services.

5G-powered services

“Network slicing will open up a realm of exciting possibilities for our enterprise customers to go to market quicker with new and innovative 5G-powered services, such as virtual reality, IoT and smart factory applications,” said Mark Chong, Group CTO of Singtel. “We are happy to be trialing network slicing capabilities with Nokia.”

The partnership will give the Singtel an option to offer enterprise customers a “secured network slice on demand” much faster than before (at present it takes weeks to implement this), “with the assured security and network performance in latency, bandwidth, and availability.”

“Today’s enterprise and communications technology buyers expect more – a lot more – from their innovation partners,” said Bhaskar Gorti, president of Nokia Software. “Framed by always-on technology, communications service providers need to up their game on customer engagement. Singtel is taking the right approach, re-fitting their service delivery and assurance processes and tools. This move to a 5G digital services infrastructure ensures they can stay ahead of customer demand and even service new customer segments.”