2023 Showcase
2023 Telco Cloud and Edge
To kick off 2023, AvidThink and Converge Network Digest are pleased to present our Telco Cloud and Edge Resource site that examines major telco initiatives like 5G, IoT, OSS/BSS modernization, edge computing and the choices telcos face in building the next-generation telco cloud to support these efforts. Check out the videos from thought leaders, and download the AvidThink report.
Sponsor Spotlight Dell'Oro Group
The Starting Point for Telco Cloud
As applications become highly distributed to edge locations, new opportunities open for telcos. The challenge for telcos is how to gain a foothold in this space when the hyperscale cloud operators already are capturing enterprise workloads. Here is some market analysis from Mauricio Sanchez, Dell'Oro Group.
Sponsor Spotlight Equinix
Bare Metal for Telco Clouds
Telcos need to be in a lot places and have the most demanding requirements, says Zachary Smith, Head of Edge Infrastructure Services, Equinix. The high-intensity workloads driven by billions of packets are what powers the underlying rails of our digital lives. The telco environment usually is a multi-tenant, multi-application proposition. All of these factors point to bare-metal as an enabling solution for telco clouds.
Sponsor Spotlight Independent/MEF
Telco cloud complexity is a big factor
Telcos have domain expertise in procuring network functions and then building a managed service around it. As we move into virtualized telco clouds, the level of complexity increases, providing both challenges and opportunities for the ecosystem. Sunil Khandekar explains.
Sponsor Spotlight Independent/MEF
Hyperscalers will retain strategic advantages
Hyperscalers are keenly focused on migrating as many enterprise workloads as possible onto their clouds. They have the expertise and the infrastructure. However, when it comes to data sovereignty, telcos will have certain advantages, especially if they are partnered with the hyperscalers. Sunil Khandekar shares his perspective.
Sponsor Spotlight Kaloom
Prospects for Telco Cloud and Edge
Join Jim Carroll of Converge Digest and Kaloom's SVP Marketing and BD, Hitendra Sonny Soni, on a 1-mile stroll in San Jose, California as they discuss trends in Telco Cloud and Edge including: top players, sustainability, killer app, early advantage, 5G workloads, metaverse, AR/VR, OCP, P4 and more.
Sponsor Spotlight Kyndryl
Managing Private 5G, Telco Cloud and Edge Compute
The management challenges of telco cloud, private 5G and edge compute depends on the complexity of the deployment and on the geographic footprint. Here's a perspective from Paul Savill, Global Practice Leader of Networking & Edge Compute, Kyndryl.
Sponsor Spotlight Lightriver
Optical Transport underpins Telco Cloud
If you look toward the requirements of tomorrow's likely applications, whether that's private 5G, IoT, AR/VR or metaverse, a common denominator will be the proximity of compute/storage to the end-user. Optical transport will be key to ensure optimal performance. Here's a perspective from Travis Ewert, Chief Operating Officer, Lightriver.
Sponsor Spotlight Microsoft
Hyperscalers and the Carrier-Grade Telco Cloud
Telco Cloud is entering an exciting phase: actual execution. AT&T is the flagship customer for Microsoft's Azure for Operator Distributed Services which already supports tens of millions of users. Microsoft's VP, 5G Strategy, Shawn Hakl explains what carrier-grade Telco Cloud really entails.
Sponsor Spotlight Nokia
Securing Telco Cloud Infrastructure
Securing telco cloud infrastructure, and 5G networks in particular, is top priority. Whenever there is a major shift in technology, hackers will look for new attack vectors. Rodrigo Brito, Head of Cybersecurity Business Line, Nokia, discusses strategic planning.
Sponsor Spotlight Orange Business
Building a Global Telco Cloud
Orange Business Services is pursuing a global Telco Cloud strategy with major hubs now in 45 cities worldwide and soon expanding to the hundreds. Capabilities will include advanced services powered by Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) nodes, as well as hosting cloud-based solutions from multiple vendors. Here is an overview from Franck Morales, Vice President, Evolution Platform, Orange Business Services.
Sponsor Spotlight Orange Business Services
Automation is the path to cloud-native network solutions
Automation is key to enabling services across a global ecosystem of Service Providers, says Franck Morales, Vice President, Evolution Platform, Orange Business Services, and Director of MEF. Here is a perspective on how this automation is developing within MEF and across the industry.
Sponsor Spotlight Rakuten Symphony
We Know How to Secure Telco Clouds
Despite hand wringing at some telcos around the security of Telco Clouds, it's a solvable problem. John Carse , CISO of Rakuten Symphony and Rakuten Mobile , explains how other critical industries like finance or defense that have already moved to cloud have created best practices to secure cloud platforms.
Sponsor Spotlight Spirent
Telco Cloud Possibilities
The telco cloud has evolved from in-house carrier platforms to hybrid offerings that include public hyperscaler offerings and in-house offerings. The telco cloud ranges from public regional clouds to even uCPE on premises. Telcos face challenges in managing the diversity of hardware platforms and locations — APIs and standards, and assurance of performance is still evolving. Marc Cohn, Principal Technology Strategist, Spirent explains.
Sponsor Spotlight Spirent
Comparing Telco Cloud with Public Cloud
Tier One carriers have unique cloud environments suited to their specific needs, whereas public cloud operators optimize their infrastructure for a broader mission. The telco cloud NFV model presumes DPDK, OVS and Linux-based environment for virtualization. Spirent Communications' Dave Larson compares the two cloud environments.
Sponsor Spotlight TransUnion
Telco Cloud needs an Ecosystem
When we think about Telco Cloud it's clear that there is a need for a robust ecosystem. Software-defined networks drive us toward an API-centric model, explains John Carr, Vice President of Business Development, Neustar.
Sponsor Spotlight Vapor IO
Telco Cloud, Edge and O-RAN Infrastructure
From a latency perspective, if someone wants to build a shared-infrastructure, neutral host with Open RAN functionality, Vapor IO is ready for the challenge, say company CEO, Cole Crawford. We have to think about the handoffs between a telco network, a private wireless network, and a hyper scale cloud provider.
Sponsor Spotlight VMware
Multi-Cloud Flexibility for Telco Cloud and Edge
The advent of 5G is driving deep changes in the way that telcos deploy and manage their networks. Telco Cloud infrastructure must adopt a distributed, multi-cloud architecture. It must also be ready to leverage public cloud capabilities to benefit from new business opportunities. Here are the insider views of Ram Venketaramani, Senior Director, Edge Solutions, VMware.
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2023 Telco Cloud
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Analysis by AvidThink
What the 2023 Telco Cloud and Edge report finds
Across these interviews the telco cloud is moving from theory into execution, but on contested ground. Telcos must virtualize their networks and push compute to the edge while hyperscalers pursue the same enterprise workloads, forcing a mix of competition, partnership, and hard choices about security, automation, and infrastructure.
Execution has finally arrived
Microsoft's Shawn Hakl points to AT&T as the flagship customer for Azure for Operator Distributed Services, already supporting tens of millions of users, marking telco cloud's shift from planning into carrier-grade execution.
Hyperscalers hold the edge, telcos hold sovereignty
Dell'Oro's Mauricio Sanchez and MEF's Sunil Khandekar note hyperscalers already capture enterprise workloads with superior infrastructure, but telcos retain advantages in data sovereignty, especially when partnered with the hyperscalers.
Complexity is the core challenge
Virtualized telco clouds raise complexity, per Sunil Khandekar. Spirent's Marc Cohn cites diverse hardware from public regional clouds to on-premises uCPE, with APIs, standards, and performance assurance still evolving.
Security is solvable, not optional
Nokia's Rodrigo Brito warns technology shifts open new attack vectors, while Rakuten Symphony's John Carse argues finance and defense have already built best practices for securing cloud platforms that telcos can adopt.
Automation and ecosystems enable services
Orange's Franck Morales calls automation key to services across a global provider ecosystem, and Neustar's John Carr sees software-defined networks driving an API-centric model that demands a robust ecosystem.
Distributed infrastructure underpins it all
VMware's Ram Venketaramani pushes distributed multi-cloud architecture, Equinix's Zachary Smith favors bare metal for high-intensity telco workloads, and Lightriver's Travis Ewert says optical transport ensures compute stays close to users.
Highlights from industry thought leaders
Video interviews
The Starting Point for Telco Cloud
- Dell'Oro's Mauricio Sanchez says distributed edge applications open new opportunities for telcos.
- Telcos must find a foothold as hyperscalers already capture enterprise workloads.
Abstract
As applications become highly distributed to edge locations, new opportunities open for telcos. The challenge for telcos is how to gain a foothold in this space when the hyperscale cloud operators already are capturing enterprise workloads. Here is some market analysis from Mauricio Sanchez, Dell'Oro Group.
Bare Metal for Telco Clouds
- Equinix's Zachary Smith says telcos need to be in many places with the most demanding requirements.
- High-intensity, multi-tenant workloads driven by billions of packets point to bare metal as an enabling solution.
Abstract
Telcos need to be in a lot places and have the most demanding requirements, says Zachary Smith, Head of Edge Infrastructure Services, Equinix. The high-intensity workloads driven by billions of packets are what powers the underlying rails of our digital lives. The telco environment usually is a multi-tenant, multi-application proposition. All of these factors point to bare-metal as an enabling solution for telco clouds.
Telco cloud complexity is a big factor
- MEF's Sunil Khandekar notes telcos have domain expertise procuring network functions and building managed services.
- Moving to virtualized telco clouds raises complexity, creating both challenges and opportunities for the ecosystem.
Abstract
Telcos have domain expertise in procuring network functions and then building a managed service around it. As we move into virtualized telco clouds, the level of complexity increases, providing both challenges and opportunities for the ecosystem. Sunil Khandekar explains.
Hyperscalers will retain strategic advantages
- Sunil Khandekar says hyperscalers have the expertise and infrastructure to migrate enterprise workloads to their clouds.
- Telcos hold data sovereignty advantages, especially when partnered with the hyperscalers.
Abstract
Hyperscalers are keenly focused on migrating as many enterprise workloads as possible onto their clouds. They have the expertise and the infrastructure. However, when it comes to data sovereignty, telcos will have certain advantages, especially if they are partnered with the hyperscalers. Sunil Khandekar shares his perspective.
Prospects for Telco Cloud and Edge
- Kaloom's Hitendra Sonny Soni discusses telco cloud and edge trends including top players, sustainability, and the killer app.
- Topics span 5G workloads, metaverse, AR/VR, OCP, and P4 programmability.
Abstract
Join Jim Carroll of Converge Digest and Kaloom's SVP Marketing and BD, Hitendra Sonny Soni, on a 1-mile stroll in San Jose, California as they discuss trends in Telco Cloud and Edge including: top players, sustainability, killer app, early advantage, 5G workloads, metaverse, AR/VR, OCP, P4 and more.
Managing Private 5G, Telco Cloud and Edge Compute
- Kyndryl's Paul Savill says management challenges of telco cloud, private 5G, and edge compute depend on deployment complexity.
- Geographic footprint is a key factor shaping the difficulty of managing these deployments.
Abstract
The management challenges of telco cloud, private 5G and edge compute depends on the complexity of the deployment and on the geographic footprint. Here's a perspective from Paul Savill, Global Practice Leader of Networking & Edge Compute, Kyndryl.
Optical Transport underpins Telco Cloud
- Lightriver's Travis Ewert says tomorrow's applications share a need for compute and storage close to the user.
- Optical transport will be key to ensuring optimal performance for private 5G, IoT, AR/VR, and metaverse.
Abstract
If you look toward the requirements of tomorrow's likely applications, whether that's private 5G, IoT, AR/VR or metaverse, a common denominator will be the proximity of compute/storage to the end-user. Optical transport will be key to ensure optimal performance. Here's a perspective from Travis Ewert, Chief Operating Officer, Lightriver.
Hyperscalers and the Carrier-Grade Telco Cloud
- Microsoft's Shawn Hakl says AT&T is the flagship customer for Azure for Operator Distributed Services.
- The platform already supports tens of millions of users as telco cloud enters actual execution.
Abstract
Telco Cloud is entering an exciting phase: actual execution. AT&T is the flagship customer for Microsoft's Azure for Operator Distributed Services which already supports tens of millions of users. Microsoft's VP, 5G Strategy, Shawn Hakl explains what carrier-grade Telco Cloud really entails.
Securing Telco Cloud Infrastructure
- Nokia's Rodrigo Brito calls securing telco cloud infrastructure and 5G networks a top priority.
- Major technology shifts prompt hackers to look for new attack vectors, requiring strategic planning.
Abstract
Securing telco cloud infrastructure, and 5G networks in particular, is top priority. Whenever there is a major shift in technology, hackers will look for new attack vectors. Rodrigo Brito, Head of Cybersecurity Business Line, Nokia, discusses strategic planning.
Building a Global Telco Cloud
- Orange Business Services' Franck Morales describes a global telco cloud with hubs in 45 cities, expanding to hundreds.
- Capabilities include Mobile Edge Computing nodes and hosting cloud-based solutions from multiple vendors.
Abstract
Orange Business Services is pursuing a global Telco Cloud strategy with major hubs now in 45 cities worldwide and soon expanding to the hundreds. Capabilities will include advanced services powered by Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) nodes, as well as hosting cloud-based solutions from multiple vendors. Here is an overview from Franck Morales, Vice President, Evolution Platform, Orange Business Services.
Automation is the path to cloud-native network solutions
- Orange Business Services' Franck Morales says automation is key to enabling services across a global provider ecosystem.
- This automation is developing within MEF and across the wider industry.
Abstract
Automation is key to enabling services across a global ecosystem of Service Providers, says Franck Morales, Vice President, Evolution Platform, Orange Business Services, and Director of MEF. Here is a perspective on how this automation is developing within MEF and across the industry.
We Know How to Secure Telco Clouds
- Rakuten Symphony CISO John Carse argues telco cloud security is a solvable problem.
- Critical industries like finance and defense have already created best practices for securing cloud platforms.
Abstract
Despite hand wringing at some telcos around the security of Telco Clouds, it's a solvable problem. John Carse , CISO of Rakuten Symphony and Rakuten Mobile , explains how other critical industries like finance or defense that have already moved to cloud have created best practices to secure cloud platforms.
Telco Cloud Possibilities
- Spirent's Marc Cohn describes telco cloud evolving to hybrid public hyperscaler and in-house offerings.
- Telcos face challenges managing diverse hardware platforms, with APIs, standards, and performance assurance still evolving.
Abstract
The telco cloud has evolved from in-house carrier platforms to hybrid offerings that include public hyperscaler offerings and in-house offerings. The telco cloud ranges from public regional clouds to even uCPE on premises. Telcos face challenges in managing the diversity of hardware platforms and locations — APIs and standards, and assurance of performance is still evolving. Marc Cohn, Principal Technology Strategist, Spirent explains.
Comparing Telco Cloud with Public Cloud
- Spirent's Dave Larson says Tier One carriers build cloud environments suited to their specific needs.
- The telco cloud NFV model presumes a DPDK, OVS, and Linux-based virtualization environment.
Abstract
Tier One carriers have unique cloud environments suited to their specific needs, whereas public cloud operators optimize their infrastructure for a broader mission. The telco cloud NFV model presumes DPDK, OVS and Linux-based environment for virtualization. Spirent Communications' Dave Larson compares the two cloud environments.
Telco Cloud needs an Ecosystem
- Neustar's John Carr says telco cloud needs a robust ecosystem.
- Software-defined networks drive the industry toward an API-centric model.
Abstract
When we think about Telco Cloud it's clear that there is a need for a robust ecosystem. Software-defined networks drive us toward an API-centric model, explains John Carr, Vice President of Business Development, Neustar.
Telco Cloud, Edge and O-RAN Infrastructure
- Vapor IO CEO Cole Crawford says the company is ready to build shared-infrastructure neutral host with Open RAN.
- Handoffs between telco networks, private wireless, and hyperscale clouds must be considered from a latency perspective.
Abstract
From a latency perspective, if someone wants to build a shared-infrastructure, neutral host with Open RAN functionality, Vapor IO is ready for the challenge, say company CEO, Cole Crawford. We have to think about the handoffs between a telco network, a private wireless network, and a hyper scale cloud provider.
Multi-Cloud Flexibility for Telco Cloud and Edge
- VMware's Ram Venketaramani says 5G drives telco cloud toward a distributed, multi-cloud architecture.
- Infrastructure must leverage public cloud capabilities to capture new business opportunities.
Abstract
The advent of 5G is driving deep changes in the way that telcos deploy and manage their networks. Telco Cloud infrastructure must adopt a distributed, multi-cloud architecture. It must also be ready to leverage public cloud capabilities to benefit from new business opportunities. Here are the insider views of Ram Venketaramani, Senior Director, Edge Solutions, VMware.
CSPs are under pressure to determine which parts of their infrastructure are core, whom to partner with, when and where to use public clouds, and how much to extend their infrastructure to the edge and into customer premises. — 2023 Telco Cloud and Edge Report
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