Network slicing and multi-enterprise campus connectivity services report
In this part of our ongoing report series, we’ll look at the possible use cases and monetization opportunities for network slicing on multi-enterprise campus connectivity. Regardless of whether these enterprise campuses are environments like large shopping malls, science parks or office blocks, network slicing can provide a potential solution when providing a reliable service to multiple tenants with stringent connectivity demands.
Key findings
High potential among medium-size businesses
In the report, we look at the typical makeup of multi-tenant enterprise campuses and consider the needs of the different businesses. Network slicing is an attractive solution for small and large enterprises, but we believe this proposition is the strongest among medium enterprises with 50 to 500 employees and two to 10 sites. These enterprises have tough security and reliability demands, but typically lack the budget or internal IT competence to consider a private network. For them, a low-cost, high-impact slicing solution could be a perfect alternative.
Excellent connectivity for non-urban sites
Multi-enterprise campuses can be difficult places to implement high-performance connectivity. They’re typically found in more rural areas, outside major cities, where connectivity infrastructure is less sophisticated. Today, these kinds of campuses are often limited to fixed connectivity options based on fiber in the ground, which is expensive to upgrade and cannot provide tailored connectivity packages to individual tenants.
A mobile and flexible solution
Aside from the lower cost compared to a private network solution, network slicing offers multi-enterprise campuses greater mobility, shorter time to deploy and high elasticity. These qualities make it easier for enterprises to rearrange their assembly lines or transportation systems without losing connectivity and allow them to spin up network slices only when they are needed.
Potential partnerships
The report details the objectives and pain points of the three main partners we have identified for service providers aiming to deploy network slicing in enterprise campuses:
- The enterprises, who will be the end customers and key players in a successful implementation.
- The campus landlord or facilities manager, who is under pressure to attract and maintain good relationships with demanding enterprise tenants.
- Managed network service providers, who are an avenue towards potential wholesale agreements that connectivity service providers can make use of.
Building relationships with all these partners and understanding their needs will be critical as connectivity service providers build their network slicing offerings in campus environments.
The most promising business models
We’ve identified four business models that represent the best options for service providers moving into the enterprise campus space. The strength of each model will depend on the service provider’s business and the types of service level agreements that are in place – but the report indicates that slice-on-a-SIM solutions, geofencing options, bespoke production solutions and various productized offerings are all viable options. It’s up to the service providers to formulate each of these business models and find the right customers, based on their connectivity demands and support requirements.
