Network slicing allows customized networks to be delivered for a specific use and it’s a huge part of DISH’s plans as it builds the next nationwide 5G network in America.
Both enterprises and consumers will be receiving the possibility to connect to DISH Wireless and its 5G network via a network slice as Nokia is working on providing this ability to the innovative network. Nokia’s NetGuard Security suite will be offered through slice-specific Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and will provide security features for its subscribers. Because network slicing works by providing a customized end-to-end network for a specific function, each slice will be capable of reaching across the entirety of the network including from the device through the radio, access, transport, and core networks to each application server separate from any other network function.
The decision to use Nokia in this network slicing application is not a surprise as network slicing requires a standalone (SA) 5G core and Nokia is supplying theirs to DISH Wireless for its SA 5G core. Because DISH Wireless is building its 5G network from the ground up, it will start with a SA 5G network when it launches, unlike many other networks which will start off relying on 4G LTE to help prop up their network.
DISH Wireless continues to boast of innovation and automation being cornerstones of its network and the use of network slicing software from Nokia is a prime example. This security suite from Nokia will allow DISH Wireless to handle security threats in a much more automated manner. A big benefit from all things automation within DISH’s 5G network will be rural markets as this will deliver not only more 5G connectivity to their respective areas, but it will also incentivize DISH Network to expand into areas that may otherwise require more maintenance than is desired. Automation and network slicing are helping deliver 5G to more consumers in the United States that may otherwise go underserved. The newest major 5G provider-to-be will look to satisfy the FCC’s guideline of covering 20% of the United States’s population by June 2022 and 75% of the nation’s population by 2025 or face a multi-billion dollar fine.
On top of running Boost Mobile and building a greenfield, nationwide 5G network, DISH Wireless is also walking the tightrope of satisfying both consumers and enterprises with innovative, reliable solutions. DISH Wireless’s Chairman Charlie Ergen spoke on the company’s desire to work in both sectors earlier in 2021 saying, “I think a lot of analysts look at how many handsets you are going to have…but your question is well taken in the sense that a part of our business will be the enterprise business, that is a fairly nascent business today and we will be on the leading edge of that as it grows.”
This is exactly why DISH Wireless is insisting on providing innovative features to subscribers. The flexibility of DISH’s 5G network will allow various industries and consumers to find specific value in the solutions they seek from their wireless provider. Network slicing is going to provide these custom solutions while simultaneously allowing wireless providers a new revenue stream to fund their businesses. DISH Executive Marc Rouanne has pointed to network slicing as being “a key differentiator of DISH’s 5G network…as we deliver these capabilities to our customers, we will provide a new level of security for their services.” Additional innovations can be seen throughout the construction of DISH Wireless’s 5G network including its Open RAN approach, cloud-computing capabilities, and dynamic pricing which will allow subscribers to purchase network slices with real-time market pricing.
Faster speeds and greater applications are all a grand part of DISH Wireless from the ground up but in an increasingly connected world, the need for proper security continues to grow. DISH accepts this responsibility and is taking great steps here with Nokia. Recently, DISH Wireless added Palo Alto Networks as a vendor and will be using the company’s cloud-native security platform and firewalls.
Source: Fierce Wireless