Network slicing or dedicated radios? Why both will win—just not in the same places

As mobile operators race to offer guaranteed SLAs for 5G service, the competition between network slicing and dedicated radios for private cellular networks is heating up. But the choice between these two approaches is less binary than contextual, per a Fierce Wireless op-ed.

According to a new forecast by Mobile Experts, network slicing revenues are expected to grow over 60 percent annually through 2030. Yet this growth is not without obstacles. Real-world variables in the radio environment—like a passing truck interrupting signal—mean that guaranteed SLAs are harder to deliver than simulations suggest. Operators have turned to geofencing and device-specific SLAs to overcome these hurdles, but these compromises often don’t meet enterprise expectations.

In controlled environments, like highways or geofenced facilities, network slicing can provide effective SLA delivery. But in dynamic, interference-prone spaces—like hospitals or office buildings—dedicated radios may be the better answer. That shift could lead to renewed interest in small cells, either as components of private cellular networks or as part of enhanced slicing services.

Bottom line: neither approach is universally superior. Each serves distinct use cases, and both are poised for strong growth—albeit in different market segments.