Network slicing
5G SA feature: carrier carves a dedicated-bandwidth virtual-network ("slice") for a specific customer. Each slice has guaranteed QoS parameters. Enables "private 5G as a service" — manufacturing, healthcare, public safety.
Slice types: eMBB (mobile broadband — consumer), URLLC (ultra-low-latency for factory robots), mMTC (massive-IoT for sensors). A slice has its own QoS policy, security policy, billing. Use case: a hospital gets a guaranteed-bandwidth slice for wireless imaging, a sports stadium gets an eMBB slice for spectators, a factory floor gets a URLLC slice for PLC communication. Slow real-world adoption: enterprises hesitant to depend on carrier-managed slices over their own private 5G. Carrier revenue pitch: "5G enterprise = $billions". Reality 2024: niche deployments primary.