Swisscom is exploring how network slicing can help critical communications across LTE and 5G in a new collaboration with Ericsson.
The project uses Ericsson’s radio and core access network and has initially focused on public transport.
The Swiss operator said it is in the process of upgrading its network and infrastructure to support changing and more stringent requirements than traditional mobile network needs.
The two companies will demonstrate at next week’s Mobile World Congress how Ericsson solutions, such as RAN slicing, quality of service control, core network functionality and OSS, can be combined to offer a high performance, secure network.
[Read more: Ericsson expands 5G portfolio but notes European telcos face “major challenges”]
Heinz Herren, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Officer, Swisscom, said: “With Ericsson’s network slicing functionality and complementing features, we can leverage existing infrastructure and assets.
“In addition to offering mobile broadband services, we will be able to configure dedicated network slices for various industries, meeting the needs of manufacturing, railway, and public safety companies.”
Joakim Sorelius, Head of Product Area Network Systems, Ericsson, added: “Network slicing is crucial to guarantee the performance of critical communications, and it is a key enabler to maximize the full business potential of 5G.
“Together with Swisscom we are creating innovative solutions that optimise existing networks and lay the groundwork for advanced 4G- and 5G-enabled applications.”
Swisscom was one of the backers of Ericsson’s recently announced 5G New Radio solution. It offers operators the ability to support the technology through a software upgrade on any of the Swedish vendor’s infrastructure from 2015 onwards.
The operator said last year that it is aiming to launch 5G services in 2020.