Content for  TS 26.501  Word version:  19.0.0

Clause 5.15.2 of TS 23.501 describes the identification of a network slice using S-NSSAI, and specifies the following: Based on the above NSSAI identification, different network slicing scenarios are possible:

1. A slice allocated for a specific customer/tenant. For example, a network slice allocated by the MNO for a specific enterprise. In this scenario, all applications of every UE in the enterprise use the allocated network slice. The SD field of the S-NSSAI is used to indicate the customer/tenant.
   • Both the Android and iOS mobile Operating Systems have recently started supporting 5G network slicing in mobile devices for enterprise users [43], [44]. Android 12 onwards supports network slicing with a separate enterprise slice and slicing based on user profiles, while Android 13 onwards supports network slicing with multiple enterprise slices [43].
2. A slice allocated for a specific customer/tenant for a specific service/application. For example, a network slice allocated by the MNO for a specific enterprise and application. In this scenario, the application in every UE in the enterprise uses the allocated enterprise network slice; all other applications in enterprise UEs use a different (possibly default) network slice. The SD field of the S-NSSAI is used to indicate the customer/tenant and the service information.
3. A slice allocated for a specific service/application: For example, a slice optimized for 5G Media Streaming. In this scenario, the optimized slice is shared between all UEs, specifically for 5G Media Streaming application; the UEs use a different (possibly default) slice for other applications/services. The SD field of the S-NSSAI is used to indicate the service/application.
   • The GSM Association specifies application-based network slicing [42], in which different network slices are provisioned for different applications.
4. A slice leased by MNO to a virtual operator. In this scenario, the virtual operator leases a network slice from the MNO, and in turn, can offer any of the above three network slicing scenarios to its customers over the leased network slice.

This clause describes collaboration options based on the above network slicing scenarios by presenting MNO CDN collaboration scenario described in clause A.7 of the present document wherein both the 5GMS AF and 5GMS AS are deployed in the Trusted DN, and the 5GMS Application Provider uses reference points M1 and M2 respectively to interact with them.

This is a network slicing scenario wherein the MNO, upon a request from an enterprise, allocates one or more network slices exclusively for enterprise users. Figure G.3.2-1 shows the case of an enterprise network slice for all applications in the enterprise UE. Every application on the enterprise UE, including the 5GMS-Aware Application, uses the allocated network slice for communication with the DN entities.

Figure G.3.2-2 shows the case of an enterprise network slice for applications in the enterprise profile of the UE.

In this scenario:

• Every application in the enterprise/work profile of the UE, including the 5GMS-Aware Application, uses the allocated enterprise network slice for communication with DN entities accessible from that slice.
• Every application in the non-enterprise profile of the UE (e.g., personal profile), including the 5GMS-Aware application, uses the default (e.g., eMBB) network slice for communication with DN entities accessible from that slice.

This is a network slicing scenario wherein the MNO, upon a request from an enterprise, allocates a specific network slice for a specific service/application for enterprise users. Figure G.3.3-1 shows the case of an enterprise network slice for a specific application (e.g., 5GMS-Aware Application) for enterprise UEs. The media streaming traffic belonging to the 5GMS-Aware application is sent through the enterprise network slice, while traffic for all other applications is sent through a default network slice (e.g. eMBB).

URSP rules, provisioned by the PCF, as described in clause 6.6.2.2 of TS 23.503, assist in traffic detection and route selection of appropriate network slice for application traffic in the UE.

This is a network slicing scenario wherein the MNO allocates a specific network slice for a specific service/application for use by multiple users. (The MNO may also provision additional network slices for carrying traffic of other specific applications.) Figure G.3.4-1 shows the case of a slice optimized for 5G Media Streaming. The traffic belonging to the 5GMS-Aware Applications of all users is sent through this network slice, while the traffic of other applications is sent through a default network slice (e.g., eMBB).

URSP rules, provisioned by the PCF, as described in clause 6.6.2.2 of TS 23.503, assist in traffic detection and route selection of the appropriate network slice for application traffic in the UE.

This is a network slicing scenario where in virtual operator leases network slice from the MNO, and uses it to provide service to its customers. The virtual operator may, in turn, offer any of the above three slicing scenarios on the leased network slice.