Today at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, Samsung Electronics and Deutsche Telekom demonstrated 5G Guaranteed Latency (GLA) as an end-to-end network slicing solution. The two companies showcased a GLA-based 5G radio system at Deutsche Telekom’s MWC booth. The demonstration involved two robotic arms connected to a Samsung-made 5G radio platform based on GLA technology. Due to the fact that Samsung’s solution guaranteed extremely low latency, the presenters were able to control them in perfect sync and move a single box between two locations in a timely manner. After successfully completing the first test, presenters showed what happens when only one arm was connected to a GLA-based 5G radio system. In that scenario, the arms were unable to move in sync and the object was dropped, i.e. the test was a failure.
The point of the demo was to show that 5G networking can provide more than just impressive upload and download speeds as Samsung and Deutsche Telekom’s performance focused on highlighting the low and controlled latency that such technology can guarantee. Following the test, both companies explained how applications of this solution are virtually limitless. GLA is one of the main networking components setting 5G technology apart from 4G seeing how it’s the key element that allows for latency control in accordance with specific requirements on a case-by-case basis. Samsung Electronics believes that 5G GLA can open new opportunities for industrial uses and that the technology will enable network operators to create entirely new business models and innovative services.
The ability to reliably transmit data with low latency is the key to realizing certain concepts like autonomous vehicles. In fact, any sector requiring real-time communication can greatly benefit from 5G GLA technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT) and medical industries. Furthermore, according to Bruno Jacobfeuerborn, Chief Technology Officer at Deutsche Telekom, having the ability to control latency throughout the end-to-end network slice guarantees an end-user experience that’s head and shoulders above any other existing alternatives. The carrier’s CTO also added that Deutsche Telekom and Samsung Electronics will continue collaborating with the goal of advancing and commercializing 5G technologies.