What is Soft Slicing?
Soft slicing is a network slicing approach where resources are shared dynamically between slices using statistical multiplexing. Each slice is guaranteed a minimum resource allocation, but can burst beyond its minimum when capacity is available from under-loaded slices. It maximises overall resource efficiency at the cost of weaker isolation guarantees.
How Does Soft Slicing Work?
In soft slicing, the RAN scheduler dynamically allocates PRBs across slices based on configured minimum/maximum guarantees and real-time demand. A QoS-aware scheduler ensures each slice receives its committed minimum throughput. The 5GC similarly allows NF instance sharing with priority-based scheduling. Dynamic Resource Sharing (DRS) in 3GPP (Release 17) formalises soft slicing at the RAN level.
Use Cases
Consumer eMBB slices where occasional throughput variation is acceptable, enterprise business slices needing guaranteed minimum but flexible burst, cost-efficient deployments where strict hardware isolation is not required.
3GPP / Standards Reference
3GPP TS 28.530 (Network Slice Management), TS 38.300 (RAN Slicing), Release 17 DRS
Related Terms
Hard Slicing | Network Slicing | NSSF | QoS | eMBB
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