Swedish telecommunications equipment manufacturer Ericsson and British company Vodafone successfully tested slicing a standalone 5G (SA) network for cloud gaming at Coventry University. The test demonstrated the benefits of 5GSA technology to create the basis for individual and high performance gaming.
During the test, participants experienced improved call quality with a 270% increase in throughput, a 25% reduction in latency, a 57% reduction in jitter, and smoother graphics rendering. The test covered two connectivity scenarios: Scenario A, simulating an existing public mobile network, and Scenario B, which used an isolated 5G SA patch optimized for cloud gaming.
In Scenario A, only 13% of test participants rated their quality satisfaction above 8 out of 10, while 63% rated it between 0 and 5. Conversely, 88% of test participants rated their satisfaction above 8 out of 10 in Scenario B. These findings highlight the significant improvement in user experience and overall enjoyment when using a dedicated network segment for gaming.
Standalone 5G technology is generally seen as a completely new type of technology, rather than a normal 4G upgrade. According to Andrea Dona, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone UK, the test demonstrated the ability to provide a “connection segment”, a feature designed specifically for games that offers users the most powerful experience, similar to that of fiber, but using radio waves.
This trial is part of a larger study by Ericsson and Vodafone to explore the potential for network slicing. Network slicing allows telecommunications companies to offer new services, improve user experience and expand their business into new markets. Previous research by Ericsson and Arthur D. Little, a consulting firm, showed that telcos around the world could generate approximately $200 billion in revenue through the use of network slicing technology.
Overall, the successful trial of 5GSA network slicing for cloud gaming demonstrates the potential of this technology to revolutionize the gaming industry, delivering a great and personalized gaming experience.
Source: https://mediasat.info/