DOCOMO and Ericsson perform successful Proof of Concept of dynamic 5G network slicing

TOKYO, JAPAN, June 13, 2016 --- NTT DOCOMO, INC. and Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) today announced their successful completion of a joint Proof of Concept (PoC) of dynamic network slicing technology for 5G core networks on June 9.

Network slicing technology virtually partitions a physical network into multiple co-existing logical networks in order to provide the most suitable resources and network topology to different types of services.

In the PoC, a slice-management function and network slices based on service requirements were autonomously created, enabling widely varying services to be delivered simultaneously via multiple logical networks. The PoC shows how 5G services could be connected flexibly between networks according to set policies in order to meet specific service requirements for latency, security or capacity.

Existing networks cannot fully optimize themselves on a per-service basis, and thereby require significant improvement to ensure simultaneous delivery of the versatile services enabled by 5G.

DOCOMO designed the network slice creation and selection functions, and Ericsson developed technologies to perform network slice lifecycle and service management. Ericsson implemented the platform for governance of services and network slices based on Ericsson commercial cloud products.

The PoC, a milestone in the joint cooperation between DOCOMO and Ericsson, will be exhibited as part of an augmented-reality application at 5G World in London, UK on June 28 to June 30, 2016.

Hiroshi Nakamura, Senior Vice President and General Manager of R&D Strategy Department, NTT DOCOMO, INC. says :

"Network slicing has the potential to simultaneously deliver diverse cutting-edge 5G services, for enhanced entertainment as well as further effective and secure communication. We expect the results of our PoC with Ericsson will play an important role in the realization of highly efficient and secure 5G networking technologies."

Håkan Djuphammar, Vice President and Head of Technology, Business Unit Cloud and IP, Ericsson, says:

"Our cooperation on 5G with DOCOMO confirms our companies' long-term relationship and our joint commitment to 5G. This PoC demonstrates the capability of 5G to support fast, efficient and flexible introduction of new services, and to enable differentiated characteristics like speed, latency and capacity."

DOCOMO is playing a driving role in developing and trialing 5G network technologies in collaboration with leading vendors worldwide. The company has been developing network slicing technology with Ericsson since September 2014. Going forward, the two companies will continue to cooperate in developing and standardizing advanced network technologies for next-generation 5G networks.