Before we get into how to test 5G slicing, we thought we should first recap the opportunities and challenges that this technology can bring to a mobile operator.
The Opportunity
The addition of 5G network slicing into a mobile operator’s product portfolio is an exciting monetisation opportunity. A 5G operator has the new prospect of offering bespoke mobile services to other market verticals such as construction, agriculture, healthcare, utilities and automotive. These can open up new opportunities for sales, increase end user usage or allow for additional revenue for providing a higher service level, potentially generating new revenue streams for the telco.
The Challenge
A network slice purchased by a customer must deliver on its contracted service level agreement. Network slicing is used as a technology enabler, meaning that the new technology relies on the mobile network meeting its SLA. In a worse-case scenario, any failure to meet SLA in critical systems could potentially result in danger to those reliant on the technology (particularly healthcare and automotive). In addition, there is also the billing accuracy side of 5G slicing which should be considered as part of the risk assessment (e.g. new tariffs and user groups).
How Osprey™ Can Help Assure 5G Slicing
The Osprey™ system supports testing against large market level 5G network slices as well as testing against small custom 5G slice instances.
By testing against existing 5G network slices it is possible to ensure 5G slices are configured and performing as expected. Testing against small custom 5G slice instances allows the Osprey™ system to ensure the network slicing management functions are enforcing attributes as expected.
5G Slicing Risks
To help with weighing up whether or not you need to take action, consider some of the risks:
- Metering Issues
- Slice Specific Rating
- Contractual QoS levels may fail to be delivered
- Performance Charging could be misconfigured and result in low revenue collection
Osprey™ 5G Slicing Technical TCG Features
Listed here are a selection of the TCG features related to 5G slicing and how they can help:
- With the addition of the 5G slicing module, Osprey™ can:
- Identify available slices
- Register against slices
- Perform test events, including byte accurate metering and QoS verification and validation
5G Slicing RA Features
Within a revenue assurance function, the impact of 5G slicing may not be immediately obvious. However, remembering that QoS levels can now affect billing/tariffing, should raise concerns enough that this should be tested. Show below are some of the features specific to RA that can be obtained by testing with TCG:
- Test 5G Slicing Tariff Plans
- CDR generation
- Rating based on network CDR recorded slice and QoS level achieved
- Bundle depletion
- Metering & Billing accuracy
- Byte allocation
- Per 5G slice
- Basic QoS Level Validation
- Downlink maximum throughput per UE
- Positioning support
- Negative testing:
- Unauthorised access to S-NSSAIs
Is 5G Slicing Coming Soon Near You?
If you are responsible for revenue assurance and are expecting 5G slicing to soon be part of your tariffs and offerings, why not speak to us?
We can provide much clearer advice and test strategy suggestions if we know how the rollout is planned. We can also help with pre-launch testing, so that you know billing is present and correct before the live customers start to use it.