Chinese smartphone and network equipment vendor Huawei unveiled new 5G core and network slicing solutions this week at Mobile World Congress.

According to the company, the Service-Oriented Core 2.0 (SOC 2.0) is based on its 5G core prototype introduced last year and is the first 5G core solution launched for commercial use.

The SOC 2.0 is designed to help operators gradually transform their networks into 5G networks in three stages. First, the solution will rebuild network infrastructure using cloud and software-defined networking technology, before moving on to deploy virtualized network functions including C/U separation, cross-DC deployment and stateless design. Finally, SOC 2.0 will deploy a standardized 5G core network on the cloud-based architecture to support 5G services.

Separately, Huawei also released what it called the “industry’s first” 5G network slicing router. The router provides 50 GE base station access, and compatibility with 100 GE, as well as physical isolation of port channels based on Flexible Ethernet Technology. Resource slicing via the router can be applied to the control, protocol, and forwarding dimensions.

“Network slicing is the key technology that effectively enables diversified network features for different industries in the 5G era,” Gai Gang, president of Huawei’s Router and Carrier Ethernet Product Line, commented. “The launch of the 5G network slicing router will effectively promote the development of 5G services and help operators quickly enter more vertical industries. Huawei is committed to providing high-quality 5G bearer solutions and actively promoting technical advances in Flexible Ethernet and network slicing. We hope industry partners will also participate in these initiatives to prepare for the arrival of 5G.”

Huawei is on site at MWC this week showcasing its solutions in Hall 3.