Slicing challenges for operators

An initial idea of network slices in standardization1 was introduced in 2011 by the ITU-T (ITU-T, 2011) in the form of logically isolated network partitions (LINP), with a slice being considered as a unit of programmable resources such as network, computation and storage. Later, in 2016, the concept of network slicing has been formulated by the NGMN in (NGMN, 2015) as an enabler for (hopefully) achieving an efficient logical division of network resources (either physical or virtual) and service functions for different services on the same network infrastructure. The concrete settings of resources and service functions are selected and combined together with the aim of supporting a specific application or type of service