Nokia & e& UAE Reveal First Fixed End-to-End Network Slicing for Gaming

Nokia and e& UAE have achieved a milestone by unveiling what they claim to be the first fixed end-to-end network slicing solution tailored for gaming applications. The trial took place in e& UAE's Abu Dhabi laboratories, where the slice network spanned both in-home WiFi and fiber access segments, ensuring high speed and minimal latency throughout the entire connection chain.

The slicing platform, built using Nokia's controllers — Altiplano, Corteca, and NSP domain controllers — enables operators to instantiate slices either on demand or automatically. Each slice is configured according to precise specifications such as routing, bit rate, Quality of Service (QoS), latency, and security.

One standout feature demonstrated during the trial was the system's ability to detect a gaming console connecting to the network and immediately deploy a dedicated slice, optimized for gaming performance. This capability underscores the potential of dynamic network slicing to enhance user experience in premium service verticals.

Abdul Rahman Al Humaidan, Vice President of Fixed Access Network at e& UAE, emphasized that adopting Nokia's slicing model allows the operator to tailor network slices for different applications and needs, delivering consistency and improved ROI. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salama, who leads Fixed Networks for Middle East & Africa at Nokia, stated that this trial sets a new standard by laying groundwork for what autonomous networks of the future can achieve, particularly for latency-sensitive services like gaming.

Beyond gaming, the solution is also applicable to cloud-gaming, streaming, enterprise/home working, and other premium digital services. Its ability to monetize differentiated service tiers makes it an attractive proposition for operators seeking both performance differentiation and business model innovation.