The Modern Private APN Alternative: VSlice

VSlice, like an APN, but better.

Unlock Programmable, Granular Data Routing and Security Policies. No more waiting on manual APN configuration.

The Modern Private APN Alternative

VSlice, like an APN, but better.

Unlock Programmable, Granular Data Routing and Security Policies. No more waiting on manual APN configuration.

VSlice: The Future of Secure and Flexible Connectivity

VSlice is a key feature of our innovative software-defined architecture, serving as the foundation for customising and controlling your network. By creating logical network segments, VSlices enable you to isolate devices and establish security boundaries tailored to your specific needs.

Our platform empowers you to easily generate VSlices independently, facilitating dynamic, programmable routing and security policies for each customer—eliminating the delays associated with manual APN configurations.

MNOs and MVNOs can now deliver highly secure, adaptable, and instantaneous enterprise connectivity at scale.

The Modern Private APN Alternative

VSlice: The Future of Secure and Flexible Connectivity

VSlice is a key feature of our innovative software-defined architecture, serving as the foundation for customising and controlling your network. By creating logical network segments, VSlices enable you to isolate devices and establish security boundaries tailored to your specific needs.

Our platform empowers you to easily generate VSlices independently, facilitating dynamic, programmable routing and security policies for each customer—eliminating the delays associated with manual APN configurations.

MNOs and MVNOs can now deliver highly secure, adaptable, and instantaneous enterprise connectivity at scale.

The Modern Private APN Alternative

Why is a VSlice better than an APN?

VSlices give you full network control instantly via self-serve capabilities, with no operator involvement required.

There are some similarities between a private APN and a VSlice, however VSlices are much more practical and efficient. Everything that can be achieved with a private APN can be achieved with a VSlice, but a lot more too.

Traditional Private APNs vs Stacuity VSlices

Setup Process

Traditional APN – Lengthy setup process: Private APNs often require an engagement with a mobile network operator or provider and can take a number of weeks or months to setup, test and provision.

VSlice – Rapid Deployment: VSlices give you full network control instantly via self-serve capabilities, with no operator involvement required. A VSlice can be created in seconds within the Stacuity portal.

Ongoing Management

Traditional APN – Complex ongoing management: If you want your data to have different treatment per region, different routing policies based on your traffic, or for the data in your use case to stay in region then this vastly increases the complexity and potentially the costs of the solution.

VSlice – Simple self-serve management: With a VSlice you can self-configure data from a single endpoints/SIM/eSIM and apply both routing and regional policies to meet specific needs. See examples of powerful capabilities below.

Associated Costs

Traditional APN – High upfront and recurring costs: Most operators and providers charge significant APN setup fees and monthly recurring fees associated with “hosting” an APN.

VSlice – No additional costs: By using a VSlice, an APN is no longer required. VSlices are a standard feature within the Stacuity platform and are included within the opex licensing fee. Customers can create as many VSlices as required for their specific use case.

Flexibility

Traditional APN – Limited flexibility: APN’s provided by a mobile operator normally offer static configuration of both the mobile network side and the IP networking side of an APN.  On-the-fly policy changes may not be possible, and new routing targets require more tickets and more delays.

VSlice – Unparalleled control and flexibility: With a VSlice you are in complete control. You can make granular routing changes dynamically and within seconds. Gain flexibility over breakout points, routing targets and your preferred operators.

Why is a VSlice better than an APN?

VSlices give you full network control instantly via self-serve capabilities, with no operator involvement required.

There are some similarities between a private APN and a VSlice, however VSlices are much more practical and efficient. Everything that can be achieved with a private APN can be achieved with a VSlice, but a lot more too.

Traditional Private APNs vs Stacuity VSlices

Setup Process

Traditional APN – Lengthy setup process: Private APNs often require an engagement with a mobile network operator or provider and can take a number of weeks or months to setup, test and provision.

VSlice – Rapid Deployment: VSlices give you full network control instantly via self-serve capabilities, with no operator involvement required. A VSlice can be created in seconds within the Stacuity portal.

Associated Costs

Traditional APN – High upfront and recurring costs: Most operators and providers charge significant APN setup fees and monthly recurring fees associated with “hosting” an APN.

VSlice – No additional costs: By using a VSlice, an APN is no longer required. VSlices are a standard feature within the Stacuity platform and are included within the opex licensing fee. Customers can create as many VSlices as required for their specific use case.

Ongoing Management

Traditional APN – Complex ongoing management: If you want your data to have different treatment per region, different routing policies based on your traffic, or for the data in your use case to stay in region then this vastly increases the complexity and potentially the costs of the solution.

VSlice – Simple self-serve management: With a VSlice you can self-configure data from a single endpoints/SIM/eSIM and apply both routing and regional policies to meet specific needs. See examples of powerful capabilities below.

Flexibility

Traditional APN – Limited flexibility: APN’s provided by a mobile operator normally offer static configuration of both the mobile network side and the IP networking side of an APN.  On-the-fly policy changes may not be possible, and new routing targets require more tickets and more delays.

VSlice – Unparalleled control and flexibility: With a VSlice you are in complete control. You can make granular routing changes dynamically and within seconds. Gain flexibility over breakout points, routing targets and your preferred operators.

The Power of a Stacuity VSlice

  • Define breakout points: Decide exactly where traffic enters your core or exits to the internet (local gateway, regional PoP, or direct public egress).

  • Configure Routing Targets: Setup specific “next hop” routing towards the internet, cloud services or corporate networks as required for you or your customers use case.

  • Deploy custom routing policies: Point traffic to any endpoint—IPsec or WireGuard VPN, cloud VPC peer, data-centre cross-connect or even just to the internet—all via our dashboard or API.

  • Select preferred operators: Choose which roaming operators can be used in each market and even steer network selection towards a preferred operator – while not needing to change the device APN at all.

  • Mirror and extend your current security and access policies to groups or individual SIMs in remote devices – often a security weak-point.

With a VSlice it can all happen in seconds…

VSlices are straight forward to create within the Stacuity portal

Real-World Applications

Secure Asset Tracking for Defence

Modern defence operations demand absolute security and reliability for tracking high-value assets. Traditional methods often rely on public networks, introducing vulnerabilities and potential interception risks. Our VSlice capability allows customers to self-configure data routing from individual SIMs/eSIMs to VPNs, bypassing the public Internet entirely. This provides the secure, encrypted tunnel necessary for defence-grade asset tracking with real-time routing changes as operational requirements evolve. This ensures vehicle and equipment location data never traverses unsecured networks.

Secure Data Collection

Sensor manufacturers frequently deploy devices in diverse and often remote locations, necessitating reliable and secure data collection. The challenge lies in ensuring that data transmitted from these sensors is protected from interception and manipulation. Using a VSlice customer can route sensor data via private virtual networks for the separation of operational data flows from remote access traffic, enhancing security and ensuring that critical sensor data remains isolated and protected.

Secure Data for Government Field Workers

Government field workers require highly secure and reliable mobile connectivity for their operations, handling sensitive data and accessing critical government systems. The risk of data breaches, unauthorised access, or device compromise is significantly higher given the nature of their work. VSlice capabilities can route mobile data traffic directly to Azure estates, ensuring an unconditional, secure, end-to-end connection that bypasses the public Internet, meeting stringent government security and compliance requirements.

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Our mission is to empower MNOs, MVNOs, Security and Connectivity Solution Providers with control of mobile connectivity, to drive innovation and unlock new business potentials.