Nokia and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have partnered to deliver an agentic AI-powered 5G-Advanced network slicing solution in a live 5G network.

The companies claim the trial to be an industry first, as the intent-based 5G slicing offering aims to provide telcos with more monetization opportunities.

Nokia combined its network slicing with AWS' AI platform technologies. The purpose of the trials is to "empower telecommunication providers in delivering premium services, precisely where and when they are needed," noted Nokia.

UAE-based du and French telco Orange are the first two telcos to carry out the agentic AI network slices.

Network slicing has been positioned as one of the key use cases of 5G. Slicing allows telecom operators to create separate and isolated networks within their wider 5G network, and each slice can be configured differently.

Nokia's AI slicing solution, powered by AWS, uses agentic AI to analyze real-world Internet data, including locations, events, traffic, incidents, and maps, enabling telecommunications providers to deliver adaptive network slicing.

The vendor claims that an agentic AI-powered approach "unlocks significant customer value across diverse applications and use cases by creating premium services that respond intelligently to dynamic conditions."

Telecom providers will be able to manage network performance during unpredictable events like traffic surges, emergencies, or mass gatherings through the use of autonomous network slicing.

“This innovation marks a major milestone in the evolution of AI-native networks. By combining Nokia’s advanced network slicing capabilities with agentic AI, we are enabling operators to deliver premium, intent-based services that adapt dynamically to real-world conditions," said Pallavi Mahajan, chief technology and AI officer at Nokia.

"Nokia is advancing connectivity by unlocking new value streams for telecommunication providers and supporting next-generation applications and differentiated services for enterprises, industries, and consumers.”

Monetization opportunities for carriers

According to Amir Rao, global director, GTM & telco solutions, AWS, agentic AI network slicing will provide carriers with opportunities to monetize 5G investments.

“Network slicing has long promised to unlock new revenue streams for operators, but manual configuration and static policies have prevented end customers from accessing on-demand provisioning," said Rao.

"This transforms network slicing from a technical capability into a true business enabler, allowing operators to monetize their 5G investments through differentiated, premium services that adapt automatically to customer needs. Agentic network slicing is the beginning of an era that will enable telecommunications providers to enable real-time intent-based service provisioning for end customers.”

As for some of the use cases being touted, these include intent-based enterprise and industrial slicing for critical applications in manufacturing, IoT, drones, smart cities, hospitals, energy, transportation, and ports.

On-demand network slicing can also be used to boost network performance for selected 5G base stations, which Nokia states can be used to support public safety authorities with better network connectivity during emergencies.

Another use case is leveraging agentic AI for large events, providing the ability to optimize premium 5G slicing based on AI-analyzed network data.

"This experimentation demonstrates how AI can transform network operations," added Atoosa Hatefi, director of innovation in radio and environment, Orange.

"With intent-based slicing, we can anticipate customer needs and deliver tailored services that meet the demands of diverse use cases, from mission-critical to immersive entertainment."