Systems and methods to improve network slice performance and efficiency

A network device comprising:

• a processor configured to:
• store definitions for multiple mode parameters for a central unit (CU) of a radio access network (RAN), wherein each mode parameter defines a section of the CU that provides a relative performance level for a slice subnet over the RAN;
• receive a slice configuration request for a network slice that identifies one of the multiple mode parameters;
• and
• instantiate the network slice to operate over the section of the CU that is associated with the identified one of the multiple mode parameters.

A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, executable by a processor of a network device, for:

• storing definitions for multiple mode parameters for a central unit (CU) of a radio access network (RAN), wherein each mode parameter defines a section of the CU that provides a relative performance level for a slice subnet over the RAN;
• receiving a slice configuration request for a network slice that identifies one of the multiple mode parameters;
• and
• instantiating the network slice to operate over the section of the CU that is associated with the identified one of the multiple mode parameters.