UAE telco e& has launched commercial 5G network slicing for enterprise customers.

In doing so, the company claims to be the first carrier in the MENA region to offer such a service via its 5G Standalone (5G SA) network.

Network slicing allows telecom operators to create separate and isolated networks within their wider 5G network, and each slice can be configured differently.

The telco noted that network slicing allows it to split its 5G bandwidth into multiple virtual networks (slices), offering specific parts of its network to customers looking to utilize tailored use cases.

“5G network slicing allows organizations to leverage reserved end-to-end capacity, guaranteeing performance for essential operations," said Oscar Garcia, senior vice president of business marketing and product innovation at e& UAE.

"The solution is set to enable industry-specific use cases with the reliability and flexibility required for essential applications.”

e& noted that network slicing enables the carrier to offer 5G connectivity solutions for customers in industries including manufacturing, public safety, and port facilities.

The telco, formerly known as Etisalat, launched its 5G Non-Standalone (5G NSA) network back in 2019, before launching 5G SA in 2023.

Last year, network vendor Nokia stated that e& was the first carrier in the world to use its slicing products for gaming applications.