Network slicing

When we talk about 5G and its game-changing potential, one concept comes up again and again: network slicing. But what exactly does it mean — and why should universities, researchers, and students care? Let’s break it down.

What Is Network Slicing?

Think of the 5G network as a highway. In older networks (like 4G), everyone shares the same lanes — whether you’re streaming a movie, making a video call, or sending emergency data. It works, but it can get crowded and slow, especially when demands increase.

Network slicing changes that. It’s like giving each type of user their own private lane, tailored to their needs.

Technically, network slicing is the ability to create multiple virtual networks on top of a single physical 5G infrastructure. Each “slice” can be customized for specific performance requirements — whether that’s ultra-low latency, high bandwidth, or rock-solid reliability.

Why Does It Matter for Education?

In higher education and research, not all digital uses are created equal.

• A student browsing the library catalog doesn’t need the same performance as…
• A robot enabling a remote student to attend class in real time, or…
• A research team transmitting sensitive data from a connected lab instrument.

With network slicing, a university can ensure that these use cases gets exactly the level of connectivity it requires, without interference or lag, by choosing between the operator’s public network or its private part.

Real-World Example: Telepresence in 5G Metro

In the 5G Metro project, telepresence robots allow students who are temporarily homebound (due to illness or disability) to attend courses remotely, in real time.

For this to work, the robot must:

• Connect instantly with low latency,
• Maintain a stable connection as it moves around the campus,
• Never compete with other campus traffic for bandwidth.

Thanks to network slicing, 5G Metro ensures that telepresence robots operate on a dedicated, isolated network slice, separate from regular internet traffic. This guarantees a high quality of service — and a smoother, more human learning experience.

At IMREDD, where the project is being deployed, students also have access to a large pool of data from real-world smart city projects. This data can be integrated into coursework and student research projects.

Beyond the Classroom: Research, Healthcare, Innovation

Network slicing isn’t just useful in education. Its potential spans many sectors:

• Healthcare: Guaranteeing reliability for remote diagnostics and connected devices.
• Industry: Isolating critical systems from non-essential traffic on factory floors.
• Research: Securing and optimizing connectivity for real-time experiments and large-scale data collection.

In all these contexts, network slicing offers performance, security, and predictability — a key enabler of digital transformation in public services.

A New Era of Connected Campuses

For universities, adopting 5G and network slicing means more than faster internet. It opens the door to:

• Smarter infrastructure,
• Inclusive learning,
• New teaching models,
• And stronger connections between research, innovation, and society.

As 5G Metro demonstrates, the future of education is not just connected — it’s intelligently connected.