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The future of enterprise connectivity: How 5G network slicing works

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A camera operator films a live sporting event, powered by 5G network slicing.

As businesses across every sector become increasingly reliant on real-time data, the demand for secure and uninterrupted connectivity has never been higher. To meet this demand, 5G network slicing is emerging as a game-changing technology that provides dedicated "VIP lanes" for critical operations. 

To understand how 5G network slicing works and how it is set to transform business and government operations, we sat down with two of Bell’s product leaders: Brad Stimpson, Director of Wireless Technology and Peter Wilcox, Director of Enterprise Solutions at Bell Business. Brad has spent over 20 years leading research and development into cellular networks and technologies, and Peter brings more than 20 years of leadership and experience humanizing digital transformation and bridging the gap between emerging technologies. 


Demystifying the technology 

Question: Let’s start with a baseline: what exactly is 5G network slicing and why is it considered such a massive leap forward from previous generations of wireless connectivity? 

Brad Stimpson: Slicing is the modern term for technology that has been evolving since the 3G era. In the past, we could tag traffic – like video or voice – and modify it as it moved through routers and switches to improve performance. With our 5G Standalone (SA) core, slicing has matured significantly. 

      • Guaranteed partitioning: We can now divide the network to ensure specific traffic always gets the resources we have allocated to it, regardless of the number of devices attempting to access the network. It’s like having a lane on the highway that is always available for specific vehicles – no matter how many other cars are on the road.   
      • Intelligent management: We've developed network management tools that automate traffic handling, enabling dynamic network control. This capability allows us to create a priority lane without degrading the experience for other users on the public network. 


Real-world impact from small businesses to enterprise and government 

Question: Moving from the lab into the real world, what does this capability mean for businesses and the public sector? How does a guaranteed network slice change the game? 

Peter Wilcox: It is important to think about it systemically, from the device to the cloud. In the past, we relied on delivering best-effort cellular connectivity. Now, we can tailor the network to exact operational needs across an entire city, or even a stretch of the trans-Canada highway or other geographical areas. Some big-picture examples include: 

      • Connected and autonomous vehicles: Managing fleets of autonomous vehicles requires highly reliable uplink to communicate with the cloud for operational data – that means no interference from network congestion. 
      • Smart cities and intersections: Municipalities are connecting traffic intersections using LIDAR and video data to monitor traffic patterns and pedestrian safety. When we prioritize these operational sensors, we can help maintain performance even when the public network is highly congested – especially important during an emergency or extraordinary event. 
      • Live event broadcasting: Massive, crowded events always mean network congestion. Broadcast-grade field reporting can use a dedicated 5G slice to bypass network bottlenecks, helping to achieve high-definition uplink speeds during congestion. This can enable delivery of the best quality video to viewers, reducing the need for wired internet access cables and enhancing the viewing experience. In fact, we recently implemented this capability during a live FIFA event in Toronto - helping to ensure a more seamless broadcasting experience for fans, sportscasters and viewers tuning in from around the world.  

Brad Stimpson: There are also fascinating ground-level use cases. One of the most exciting developments I saw recently at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona is the concept of "pop-up" needs. Instead of the network as a static block, it becomes a dynamic tool they can boost on demand. Think of central air conditioning in a home – the traditional model has one big fan that blows cool air to all the different vents. Now we can automatically adjust how strong and cool the airflow needs to be on a room-to-room basis.  

      • Commercial agility: A food truck at a congested festival can request a temporary network slice to help ensure their automated point-of-sale systems maintain connectivity, protecting their revenue. 
      • Public safety: A first responder command station can secure a dedicated slice during an emergency to help ensure reliable critical communications without worrying about local network traffic. 


Next steps for industry leaders 

Question: What steps should enterprise leaders take today to prepare for this shift? Are there some promising industry specific use cases? 

Peter Wilcox: Consultation is really the first step. Sometimes an organization may know the specific outcome they are looking for but not know what tools they need to get there. Other times it is the ongoing business challenges or opportunities they see every day, and the goal is discovering which ones can be aided. Engaging an expert perspective helps you find out what is possible as well as the places where a change can have a measurable impact. This can range from: 

      • Tailored solutions: Different use cases require entirely different network calibrations. A police force using body cams needs real-time video uplink which can be data-intensive, while the connectivity needed to support fleet management can be much simpler. 
      • Incubation and partnerships: For organizations exploring what is possible, we partner with incubators like Ax.c hub in Montreal as well as solutions providers like Geotab, BeWhere and other connected municipal system providers. It takes an ecosystem to solve system-level problems to bring the best innovations to life. 


Looking ahead to the future of connectivity 

Question: Looking three to five years down the road, what is the most exciting possibility or industry transformation that 5G network slicing will unlock? 

Brad Stimpson: We are seeing how AI will play a foundational role in pushing network capabilities even further. 

      • Unprecedented customization: Offering tailored service – whenever, wherever and however it is needed – can become easier and more widely available to businesses of all sizes. 
      • Network simplification: In our excitement to adapt and grow, there is a tendency to simply focus on what can be added – but that typically layers on complexity at each stage. I think future iterations will also focus on streamlining the management of these highly complex networks, making it even easier to manage and operate automatically. 

Peter Wilcox: Instead of making a prediction on what will come, I’m going to make a prediction on market readiness. With the pace of technology being what it is, there is a definite feeling that a misstep too soon can leave you stuck with a solution that is quickly behind the times.  

The important counterpoint here is that testing and experimentation are more than attempts to solve a problem. They are key paths to developing institutional skills and understanding. Not only is there already technology available to solve complex operational challenges, but the companies taking those steps today will be better positioned to identify and implement the opportunities of the years to come.  

Discover how Bell's advanced 5G network can transform your operations and open new possibilities for growth. Plus, learn about how Bell is powering premium connectivity at FIFA World Cup 26 – real-world examples of how businesses are taking advantage of this powerful technology.