Telco Cloud & Network Functions
Cloud-native telco infrastructure: NFV to CNFs, next-gen central offices, and how operators run network functions on cloud platforms.
87 video interviews · 2019–2026
Building AI-Ready Networks for the Service Providers
- Dell's XR9700 is the industry's first outdoor-capable server, running cloud RAN and edge AI on Intel Xeon 6
- It closes the performance gap between traditional and cloud-based radio systems
- Dell expects significant cloud RAN deployments as architectures go cloud-native for AI
Full summary
Sandro Tavares, Director, Telecom Systems Marketing at Dell, presents the company’s breakthrough XR9700 server, the industry’s first outdoor-capable system that eliminates the performance gap between traditional and cloud-based radio systems while running cloud RAN and edge AI applications with Intel Xeon 6 processors. Dell is engaged in productive customer discussions and expects significant cloud RAN deployments as network architecture evolves toward cloud-native environments for AI and next-generation networks.
Distributed AI Workloads Reshape Network Infrastructure
- AI workloads are distributing beyond the data center, demanding robust networking across many sites
- HPE-Juniper integration unifies compute, storage, networking, and security, including cloud-native routing in ProLiant edge servers
- New SPX 12000 router delivers 500+ TB/s in 32RU with 800G and 1.6T readiness, deep buffers, and line-rate security
Full summary
Julius Francis, Senior Director, Product Marketing at HPE, explains how AI workloads are becoming distributed across multiple sites beyond traditional data centers, requiring robust networking infrastructure, and how HPE's integration with Juniper combines compute, storage, networking, and security capabilities including cloud-native routing in ProLiant servers for edge environments. He highlights opportunities for telecommunications providers to leverage their infrastructure for distributed AI interconnection and announces the SPX 12000 router, delivering over 500 terabytes per second in 32RU with 800 Gig capability and 1.6T readiness, featuring deep buffers, low latency, and line-rate security for hyperscalers, telcos, and cloud-scale enterprises.
Ekinops acquires Chimere ZTNA & highlights Quantum Security
- Ekinops acquired Chimere, a universal ZTNA solution, to strengthen its SASE portfolio
- Ekinops' optical portfolio is advancing toward quantum-resistant networks
Full summary
Marc Bouteyre, Head of Virtualization at Ekinops, discusses the company's acquisition of Chimere, a universal ZTNA solution that strengthens its SASE portfolio and market position. He also highlights Ekinops' optical portfolio advancements in quantum-resistant networks.
AI Automation for Real-Time, Multi-Vendor Networks
- Ribbon centers on cloud-native technology and AI-driven automation via a three-layered architecture for carriers and enterprises.
- The platform delivers deployment automation, cloud monitoring, and security management.
- Ribbon maintains a vendor-neutral strategy across its automation stack.
Full summary
Ram Ramanathan, VP Product Management at Ribbon, outlines the company's focus on cloud-native technology and AI-driven automation through a three-layered architecture approach for carriers and enterprises. He describes how Ribbon provides deployment automation, cloud monitoring, and security management while maintaining a vendor-neutral strategy.
SD-WAN Security Risks: Why Small Businesses Need SASE Solutions Now
- Ekinops points to growing convergence of networking and security solutions.
- Strong international interest is coming from UK and German markets, beyond the company's French base.
Full summary
Marc Bouteyre, Head of Virtualization at Ekinops, examines the growing convergence of networking and security solutions, noting strong international interest from UK and German markets beyond their French base.
AI Network Evolution: Towards Agentic AI in Networking
- AI-driven infrastructure and digital twins are key trends for network automation and simulation.
- Service providers are adopting data management layers and moving to cloud-native environments.
- Ecosystems must unite network, OSS, and BSS players with developer communities.
Full summary
Gabriele Di Piazza, Vice President of Products, Alliances & Architectures at Blue Planet (a Ciena Company), discusses key Mobile World Congress trends including AI-driven infrastructure for network automation and digital twin technology for network simulation. He emphasizes how service providers are adopting data management layers while shifting toward cloud-native environments, highlighting the importance of building comprehensive ecosystems that unite network, OSS, and BSS players with developer communities.
AI and RIC for Next Gen RAN
- The RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) is seeing growing adoption.
- AI integration is advancing within radio access networks.
Full summary
Constantine Polychronopoulos, GVP of 5G and Telco Cloud at Juniper, discusses key Mobile World Congress trends including the Radio Intelligent Controller's growing adoption and AI integration in radio access networks.
Cloud-Native Networking and Beyond
- Cloud-native adoption reaches greater maturity.
- Open RAN acceleration continues.
- Non-terrestrial networks advance via initiatives like the Cloud Native Telco project and satellite integration.
Full summary
Ranny Haiby, CTO of Networking, Edge/IoT, Access at Linux Foundation, outlines three major networking trends for 2024 including cloud-native adoption maturity, Open RAN acceleration, and non-terrestrial networks. These trends reflect the industry's focus on expanding connectivity options and improving network architectures through initiatives like the Cloud Native Telco project and satellite network integration.
Unified SASE with Dedicated Underlay
- Aryaka pitches Unified SASE-as-a-Service, converging networking and security in one cloud-native platform for distributed environments.
- The platform runs on Aryaka's own global backbone, delivering integrated security and AI-ready infrastructure.
- The as-a-service model removes the need for on-premises hardware.
Full summary
Renuka Nadkarni, Chief Product Officer at Aryaka, outlines the company's Unified SASE as-a-Service solution that combines networking and security capabilities for modern distributed environments. The cloud-native platform, built on Aryaka's global backbone network, delivers integrated security features and AI-ready infrastructure while eliminating the need for on-premises hardware.
What Network Operators Really Want
- Ribbon's David Stokes emphasizes the event's focus on real operators' needs.
- He notes the shift from CLI to automation and the importance of cloud-native, AI, ML, and big data analytics.
Full summary
David Stokes, Head of IP Solutions & Portfolio Marketing at Ribbon, emphasizes the event's focus on real operators' needs. He also touches on the shift from CLI to automation, the importance of cloud-native, and AI, ML, and big data analytics in networking.
Standardizing the Telco Cloud Stack
- Dell's Sandro Tavares urges cloud transformation in networking to break operational silos in telecoms.
- Standardizing the stack requires shifts in architecture, processes, and mindset to share resources and unlock new revenue.
Full summary
Sandro Tavares, Director of Marketing, Dell Telecom Systems Business, stresses the need for cloud transformation in the telecommunications industry, particularly in networking, to break down operational silos and fully leverage the benefits of cloud technology. Tavares advocates for a shift in architecture, processes, and industry mindset to standardize the stack, share resources, and generate new revenue opportunities.
AI Will Drive Digital Transformation for Telecom
- Former Rakuten Symphony North America CEO Azita Arvani calls AI a force multiplier for digital transformation.
- Realizing AI's full potential requires cloud-native network architectures.
Full summary
Azita Arvani, former CEO of Rakuten Symphony North America, expresses enthusiasm for the potential of AI in transforming telecoms. It is a force multiplier for other digital transformation enablers, and she highlights the need for cloud-native network architectures to fully realize AI's potential.
AI in SD-WAN: Enhancing Security and Customer Experience
- Ekinops focuses on AI tools to improve customer experience for service providers.
- The goal is helping providers deliver enhanced value to their clients.
Full summary
Marc Bouteyre, Head of Virtualization at Ekinops, attended the SD-WAN Summit 2024 to connect with customers and explore new prospects. Ekinops is concentrating on using AI tools to improve customer experience for service providers, with the goal of helping them deliver enhanced value to their clients.
Lanner's SD-WAN Hardware: From Desktop to AI-Powered Solutions
- Lanner Electronics showcases hardware boxes supporting Flexiwan's open-source SD-WAN software.
- Its offerings include desktop solutions and an AI solution for VNF acceleration.
Full summary
Cyril Chouviat, Sales Manager at Lanner Electronics, is showcasing their hardware boxes supporting Flexiwan's open-source SD-WAN software. Lanner's offerings include desktop solutions with varying core counts and an AI solution for VNF acceleration, with Chouviat noting the conference's busy atmosphere of service providers and large businesses as a valuable opportunity for customer engagement.
Monetizing Network Infrastructure from Core to Edge
- Arrcus's Shekar Ayyar presents ACE, a cloud-native programmable platform spanning 5G edge to multi-cloud.
- ACE unifies Arrcus's network OS, multi-cloud connectivity, and analytics into one platform.
Full summary
What's best path to monetizing network infrastructure? Shekar Ayyar provides a walk-through of the Arccus booth at Mobile World Congress 2023. ACE – a cloud-native, programmable platform that modernizes 5G networks from edge to multi-cloud – is the centerpiece solution. It brings together Arrcus’ foundational network operating system, 5G and multi-cloud connectivity, and analytics and management technologies into a unified platform to address use cases.
MWC 2023 Showcase Kick-Off (Live from Barcelona)
- AvidThink's Roy Chua and Converge's Jim Carroll kick off the MWC 2023 showcase from the Barcelona show floor.
- Coverage spans Open RAN, private 5G, disaggregation, telco cloud, and edge computing.
Full summary
Roy Chua of AvidThink signs in from Mobile World Congress (#mwc23) in Barcelona. Join Jim Carroll of Converge Network Digest and AvidThink on the #mwc show floor as they capture highlights from industry thought leaders. Topics covered include #openran, #private5g/#privatewireless, #disaggregation, #telcocloud, #edgecomputing, and more. Free Telco Cloud and Edge Report download: https://ngi.fyi/telcocloudyt
MWC23: The Year the Pivot Begins
- Rakuten Symphony's Geoff Hollingworth calls MWC 2023 the inflection point to pivot to telco cloud.
- Operators must change how they process core network functions, embracing software, cloud, and automation.
Full summary
Mobile World Congress 2023 marks an important inflection point, says Geoff Hollingworth -- the industry realizes that it needs to pivot to telco cloud. It needs to change how it processes core network function. The mobile now knows that it must embrace software, cloud, and automation
The Best Way to Get Started with Telco Cloud
- Rakuten Symphony's Vivek Chadha notes operator questions shifted from what telco cloud is to how to start.
Full summary
What's new in telco cloud at Mobile World Congress 2023? The questions from mobile operators have changed, Vivek Chadha. It is no longer "what is telco cloud" but rather "what is the best way to get started with telco cloud.
Boost User Experience & Manage Complex Apps with Prosimo
- Prosimo's Dan Sheldon uses cloud-native constructs to integrate into brownfield environments without overhauls.
- Service networking delivers orchestrated security and observability with minimal infrastructure and lower cost.
Full summary
Struggling to balance exceptional user experience with complex applications across multiple cloud environments? Dan Sheldon, Sr. Solutions Architect from Prosimo, explains how to tackle these challenges using cloud-native constructs: - Seamlessly integrate in Brownfield environments without overhauling existing applications - Deliver orchestrated security and actionable insights from observability - Utilize service networking core concepts to achieve benefits at a fraction of the cost with minimal infrastructure Don't miss out on these valuable insights to optimize your cloud strategy and enhance user experience!
What's next for edge networking in 2023?
- Kaloom's Hitendra Sonny Soni sees new possibilities from 5G slicing shaking up edge networking in 2023.
Full summary
New possibilities enabled by 5G slicing could shake things up. Kaloom's Hitendra Sonny Soni makes his predictions for edge networking in 2023. --Visit 2023 Telco Cloud and Edge Resource Site-- Since you're interested in edge networking, you might want to check out our 2023 Telco Cloud and Edge resource site. Watch the videos, download our report, and learn the top nine observations and recommendations we have for carriers.
What's next for edge services in 2023?
- Zededa's Said Ouissall assesses the prospects for virtualized services running at edge locations in 2023.
Full summary
What are the prospects for virtualized services at edge locations in 2023? Zededa's Said Ouissall makes their predictions for edge services in 2023.
Enterprise Networking Alphabet Soup: Building the Future of Secure Global Networking at Cato
- Cato Networks offers a cloud-native SASE platform merging networking and security across numerous PoPs on its private backbone.
- It delivers real-time security enforcement, high-throughput processing, and simple cloud connectivity.
Full summary
Eyal Webber-Zvik, VP of Product Marketing at Cato Networks, presents the company's SASE platform, a globally available cloud-native solution that merges networking and security capabilities. The platform, which operates through numerous Points of Presence (PoPs) interconnected with the Cato global private backbone, offers enterprise-grade network security, high throughput traffic processing, real-time security enforcement, and simple connectivity to the cloud via an SD-WAN appliance, a client for remote users, and a virtual connection for cloud data centers.
SDWAN & Universal CPE Solutions
- Ekinops's Marc Bouteyre showcases the company's SD-WAN and universal CPE solutions at the conference.
Full summary
Marc Bouteyre, Head of Virtualization at Ekinops, showcased their successful SD-WAN and Universal solutions for CPEs at the conference, using the platform to engage with customers. Bouteyre expressed optimism about Ekinops' future presence at the conference, where they will continue to promote their solutions.
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Full summary
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.
Open RAN Acceleration and Cloud Software Integration
- Dell's new Open RAN Accelerator Card, developed with Marvell, boosts 5G processing performance.
- Virtualized and Open RAN architectures deliver a major processing performance gain for 5G networks.
Full summary
With the introduction of virtualized and Open RAN architectures, 5G networks will benefit from a big processing performance boost. Sandro Tavares, Director, Telecom Solutions Marketing at Dell Technologies, talks about the new Dell Open RAN Accelerator Card, developed with Marvell. Download AvidThink's MWC 2022 Report Collection to explore exclusive insights and research findings on hot topics covered at MWC 2022.
The Cloud-native Ecosystem is Driving Immediate Benefits
- Dish's Marc Rouanne says the cloud-native ecosystem is delivering benefits sooner than many expected.
Full summary
The cloud-native ecosystem is delivering benefits much sooner than many would expect, says Marc Rouanne, executive vice president and chief network officer at Dish. Download AvidThink's MWC 2022 Report Collection to explore exclusive insights and research findings on hot topics covered at MWC 2022.
Accelerating Virtual 5G Distributed Unit Processing
- Marvell's Joel Brand details silicon optimized for the RU, DU, and now the virtualized DU.
- The virtualized DU offloads functions to host servers aided by dedicated-silicon accelerator cards.
Full summary
In the drive toward O-RAN and v-RAN, silicon vendors are racing toward smaller geometries, and Marvell is on the leading edge with portfolio optimized for the RU, DU and now the virtualized DU, says Joel Brand, Senior Director, Product Marketing, Marvell. The idea with the virtualized DU is to process some of the functionality in a host server leveraging cloud technologies and a new generation of accelerator cards powered by dedicated silicon. Download AvidThink's MWC 2022 Report Collection to explore exclusive insights and research findings on hot topics covered at MWC 2022.
Accelerating Network Functions
- Napatech's Charlie Ashton says optimizing packet-core ROI grows critical as 5G deployments widen.
Full summary
As 5G deployments become more widespread, optimizing the return on investment (ROI) from the packet core becomes more and more important for the carriers, says Charlie Ashton, VP of Business Development at Napatech. Download AvidThink's MWC 2022 Report Collection to explore exclusive insights and research findings on hot topics covered at MWC 2022.
Transforming to Cloud-Native with Open RAN
- Dell Technologies' Sandro Tavares discusses telecom's shift to cloud-native architecture through Open RAN.
Full summary
Many changes are underway with telecom infrastructure, including the adoption of cloud-native architecture through Open RAN. Sandro Tavares of Dell Technologies shares his perspective.
Colocating workloads at the edge of the network
- Napatech's Charlie Ashton describes strong interest in colocating workloads at the edge, in public or private networks.
- Telcos aim to consolidate RAN network functions with edge applications and services.
Full summary
There is strong interest in colocating workloads at the edge of the network, whether the public mobile network or a private, enterprise network. Charlie Ashton, Senior Director of Business Development, Napatech explains how telcos are looking to consolidate the RAN network functions with edge applications and services.
NTT DOCOMO builds its Open RAN Verification Environment
- NTT DOCOMO adds a fourth flexible, scalable virtualized base station to its Open RAN verification environment.
- The new base station combines NEC's open virtualized RAN software with Red Hat OpenShift.
Full summary
NTT DOCOMO will be adding a fourth type of flexible and highly scalable virtualized base station to its verification environment for open radio access networks (Open RAN). The new virtualized base station will combine NEC Corporation’s open virtualized RAN software and Red Hat Openshift.
A New Wave of Virtualization, Stronger 5G, and The Edge
- Ekinops' Sylvain Quartier predicts a new wave of virtualization, stronger 5G, and edge growth in 2022.
Full summary
Sylvain Quartier, VP, Marketing and Product Strategy at Ekinops, shares predictions for 2022. Download AvidThink's 2021 Select Report Collection to explore strategies and opportunities in the Telco, Private Mobile Networks, Service Assurance, SD-WAN and Open RAN space.
Network Virtualization, IoT for Cars, Better SaaS
- OpenVPN founder and CEO Francis Dinha predicts network virtualization, IoT for cars, and better SaaS in 2022.
Full summary
Francis Dinha, Founder and CEO of OpenVPN, shares predictions for 2022. Download AvidThink's 2021 Select Report Collection to explore strategies and opportunities in the Telco, Private Mobile Networks, Service Assurance, SD-WAN and Open RAN space.
Telco Cloud, Managed Security, Disaggregation
- Spirent's Marc Cohn points to telco cloud, managed security, and disaggregation in 2022.
Full summary
Marc Cohn, Principal Technology Strategist at Spirent, shares predictions for 2022. Download AvidThink's 2021 Select Report Collection to explore strategies and opportunities in the Telco, Private Mobile Networks, Service Assurance, SD-WAN and Open RAN space.
Why Network Complexity requires a new Level of Intelligent Automation
- Ericsson notes network slicing, disaggregation, and RAN virtualization add to service provider complexity.
- That complexity calls for a new level of intelligent automation.
Full summary
Service Providers are challenged with complexity and technologies coming into deployment, such as network slicing, disaggregation, and virtualization of RAN infrastructure, only add to the challenge. Here is a perspective from Santiago Rodriguez, Head of Strategic Projects, Lead of Intelligent Automation Platform, at Ericsson.
Radio Access Networks will Never be the Same
- Marvell says Open RAN draws more hyperscaler interest as networks virtualize at the far and near edge.
- Marvell discusses the opportunities and emerging market trends Open RAN offers.
Full summary
As networks become more virtualized, both at the far edge and near edge, Open RAN is drawing more interest and participation from hyperscalers. In this video, Raj Singh, EVP Processor Business Group at Marvell, discusses the opportunities Open RAN offers networks and the emerging trends in the market. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
Top 5 Ideas about Telco Cloud
- Aarna Networks' Amar Kapadia argues telcos lack the skill and appetite to manage tens of thousands of edge clouds.
- Public cloud vendors have the capabilities telcos need for the new telco cloud.
Full summary
Telcos don’t have the skill and appetite to manage tens of thousands of edge clouds, but the public cloud vendors do. Amar Kapadia, Co-founder at Aarna Networks, shares his top 5 ideas for the new telco cloud.
Telco Server Farms vs Public Clouds
- Colt's Peter Coppens says telco-owned server farms will coexist with public cloud alternatives.
- Colt is moving toward telco cloud and network edge to deliver functionality to customers.
Full summary
Telco-owned server farms will co-exist with public cloud alternatives. Peter Coppens, VP Product at Colt, talks about how Colt is moving more toward the telco cloud and network edge to deliver functionality to their customers vs the public cloud alternative.
Telco Cloud Requires a Forward-looking Platform
- Comcast Business's Jeff Lewis stresses that carrier networks must scale.
- A forward-looking platform approach helps bring in more products and services.
Full summary
As a carrier, networks need to scale. Jeff Lewis, Vice President, Software-defined Networking (SDN) at Comcast Business, talks about the importance of a forward-looking platform approach to bring in more products and services.
Automation and Orchestration will drive the Next Gen Telco Cloud
- Lenovo's Chadie Ghadie examines infrastructure features telcos need to become more agile and software-driven.
- Greater automation supports the data generated from 5G.
Full summary
It all starts with the infrastructure. In this video, Chadie Ghadie, Director of Business Development at Lenovo, looks at key infrastructure features required for telcos to become more agile, more software driven, and more automated in support of the data that is generated from 5G.
O-RAN Opens Doors for New Telco xApps
- ONF's Timon Sloane details its first SD-RAN release, an O-RAN consistent end-to-end 5G RAN stack.
- SD-RAN is intended to run as a key workload on future telco clouds.
Full summary
Timon Sloane, VP of Marketing and Ecosystem at the Open Networking Foundation, looks at ONF’s first release of the SD-RAN project that implements an O-RAN consistent end-to-end mobile 5G RAN stack intended to run as a key workload on future telco clouds.
3 Key Considerations for Cloud-Native Telco Deployments
- Ribbon's Justin Hart offers three key considerations for moving telecom workloads to cloud-native deployment.
Full summary
Are you ready to move your telecommunications workloads to a cloud-native deployment? Here are three key considerations from Justin Hart, CTO, Cloud & Edge Business Unit at Ribbon Communications.
The Journey to CI/CD and Automation
- Ribbon automates its CI/CD pipeline to align with and enable customers' CI/CD environments.
- Automation enables cloud-native operations and frictionless integration of Ribbon's delivered artifacts.
Full summary
When we talk about embracing the principles of CI/CD, the goal is to automate Ribbon’s CI/CD pipeline to align with, and enable, our customer’s CI/CD environment. It also encompasses how automation enables cloud native operations. This engineering discussion delves into Ribbon’s adoption of CI/CD and cloud native operations and how the artifacts delivered by Ribbon enable frictionless integration with their customer’s automation environments.
Redefining Telco Cloud
- Spirent's Marc Cohn says public cloud momentum forces operators to consider how to exploit it.
- He discusses the fundamental ways telco cloud differs from public cloud.
Full summary
The public cloud is gaining so much momentum that the telco operators must give serious consideration to how they could exploit it. Marc Cohn, Principal Technology Strategist at Spirent, discusses the fundamental ways the telco cloud varies from the public cloud.
Will Telcos Lose Strategic Control if they go to Public Clouds?
- TelcoDR's Danielle Royston argues telcos retain strategic assets and control even when running on other clouds.
- She weighs the strategic risks for telco clouds.
Full summary
“The strategic assets are still in the telcos’ hands. They are still fully in control of what’s running over at those other clouds.” In this video, Danielle Royston, Telecom's Leading Public Cloud Evangelist at TelcoDR, weighs the strategic risks for telco clouds.
Telco Cloud Network Flexibility
- Telia Carrier CEO Staffan Gojeryd stresses network flexibility as the key lesson of 2020.
- He shares views on network infrastructure investments.
Full summary
“If we learned something during 2020, it is that flexibility of the network is extraordinarily important.” Staffan Göjeryd, CEO of Telia Carrier, shares some views on network infrastructure investments.
Portability is Key to the Edge
- Arm's Chris Bergey says portability is key to building out edge infrastructure.
- Arm's Project Cassini brings cloud-native technologies to the edge for a secure, portable computing environment.
Full summary
As we think about moving computing from the core data centers to the edge, portability will be key to building out edge infrastructure. In this video, Chris Bergey, SVP/GM Infrastructure Line of Business at Arm, talks about the concept of portability as illustrated in Arm’s Project Cassini which brings cloud-native technologies to the edge to enable a secure and portable computing environment.
It takes a Village to Build the Edge
- Kaloom's Hitendra Sonny Soni says cloud-native containerization is moving workloads closer to end-users.
- Kaloom delivers its Unified Edge Solution in concert with Red Hat and Intel.
Full summary
The forces of cloud-native containerization are liberating today’s workloads, moving them closer to end-users. As service providers and enterprises contemplate what this means for the infrastructure, it’s clear it will take a village to build and deliver enhanced applications over optimized networks. Hitendra Sonny Soni, SVP Worldwide Sales at Kaloom, shares key market drivers and requirements to build the edge. He explains how Kaloom, in concert with Red Hat and Intel, delivers innovative disruption through its Unified Edge Solution.
Edge and Beyond: Use Cases Drive Innovation
- Red Hat's Ian Hood describes industrial edge workloads doing near-real-time data computation close to customers.
- These microservices-based applications sit on open cloud-native platforms.
Full summary
Edge applications for industrial customers involve the movement of workloads close to customers, while enhancing these workloads with the ability to perform near-real-time data computation. These applications, composed of microservices, will sit on open cloud-native platforms. These are some of the key insights that Ian Hood, Chief Technologist, Global Service Provider Business at Red Hat, share in this exclusive video.
Innovative Ways to Accelerate Public and Private Cloud Infrastructure
- NVIDIA's Ash Bhalgat identifies four cloud performance pain points: virtualization, SDN, storage, and security.
- He explains achieving maximum efficiency without sacrificing performance using NVIDIA's Mellanox networking products and open-source tools.
Full summary
Customers deploying cloud infrastructure run into performance issues in four key areas: virtualization, SDN, storage, and security. In this video, Ash Bhalgat, Senior Director of Cloud & Telco Market Development at NVIDIA’s Networking Business Unit, explains how to achieve maximum cloud infrastructure efficiency without sacrificing performance by using NVIDIA’s Mellanox Networking products and open-source software tools.
VMware's Project Monterey for SmartNICs - Pensando's Perspective
- Pensando's Silvano Gai details Project Monterey with VMware to integrate next-generation SmartNICs into fully virtualized enterprise networks.
- Benefits include firewalling, micro-segmentation, encryption, and telemetry alongside added performance and scale.
Full summary
Pensando Systems is working with VMware on Project Monterey to integrate the next generation of SmartNIC technology into fully virtualized enterprise networks. In this video, Silvano Gai of Pensando Systems talks about Project Monterey and the benefits for customers, including performance, scale, and features such as firewalling, micro-segmentation, encryption, telemetry, and more.
Are Next-gen SmartNICs Gaining Traction with Top Cloud Providers?
- Prem Jain discusses SmartNIC adoption trends among major cloud providers, including bare-metal-as-a-service acceleration.
- Virtualized storage features among the hot use cases driving next-generation SmartNIC traction.
Full summary
In this video, Prem Jain, co-founder and CEO of Pensando, discusses SmartNIC adoption trends by major cloud providers. Hot topics include bare-metal-as-a-service acceleration and virtualized storage. Download the Infrastructure Acceleration Report to explore technologies being adopted by CSPs
Top 5 Trends in NFV 2020
- Aarna Networks' Amar Kapadia says the industry is finally past the question of whether NFV is real.
- Kapadia outlines five NFV trends to expect in 2020.
Full summary
We are finally beyond the perennial question of "is NFV real?" Amar Kapadia, Co-founder of Aarna Networks, shares five NFV trends we can expect to see in 2020.
NFV - the Next Phase of Virtualization
- Cisco's JL Valente frames operationalization, automation, and management as NFV's key challenge.
- Success with NFV depends on the automation and management organizations build around it.
Full summary
The key challenge for NFV is the operationalization, the automation, and the management that will be required for organizations to succeed. JL Valente, VP/GM Service Provider Solutions, Cloud Platform and Solutions Group at Cisco, takes a look at what's coming to NFV in 2020 and beyond.
Evolution of the NFV Market Report
- Colt's Mirko Voltolini says the NFV market is now moving into a maturity stage.
- He points to significant NFV opportunities emerging as the market evolves.
Full summary
The NFV market is now moving to a maturity stage. Mirko Voltolini, Head of Network on Demand at Colt, discusses the evolution of the market and the significant NFV opportunities moving forward.
NFV for Future-proofing the Enterprise
- Comcast Business' Bob Victor positions NFV as a platform to future-proof enterprise customers.
Full summary
Customers want to put in place a platform that future-proofs their enterprise. In this video, Bob Victor, Head of Product at Comcast Business, shares the Comcast Business perspective on NFV.
What's Next for NFVI
- Ericsson's Lars Mårtensson points to containers and Kubernetes as the next steps for NFV infrastructure.
- He also highlights the move toward the edge in NFV's progression.
Full summary
Lars Mårtensson, VP & Head of Solution Area Cloud and NFVi & Head of Ericsson Silicon Valley, shares his thoughts on the progress of NFV and what's next including containers and Kubernetes as well as the move toward the edge.
Telco Cloud Integration
- Juniper's Ben Baker notes the cost to operate a network far exceeds the cost to deploy it, driving demand for agility.
- Juniper virtualizes service delivery points farther toward the edge while keeping management and control central.
Full summary
The cost to operate a network is much higher than the cost to initially deploy a network says Ben Baker, Senior Director, Cloud/SP Marketing at Juniper Networks. Service providers realize they need more agility and speed. Juniper Networks is working with SPs to virtualize service delivery points farther out to the edge while keeping management and control central.
NFV Transformation to Cloud Native
- Nokia's Sandro Tavares says NFV is expanding into the radio access as CloudRAN becomes pervasive.
- He describes executing the NFV transformation toward cloud-native infrastructure for future networks.
Full summary
NFV is expanding into the radio access with CloudRAN becoming a technology that is pervasive. Sandro Tavares, Global Head of Mobile Networks Marketing at Nokia, talks about how we’re starting to execute on the NFV transformation to cloud native infrastructure and enable the networks of the future.
NFV for Rapid Service Activation
- Spectrum Enterprise's Satya Parimi sees NFV enabling rapid service turnup for enterprises of all sizes.
- He says NFV opens the door to new and innovative services for enterprise customers.
Full summary
Spectrum Enterprise sees a great role for NFV for rapid turnup of services for enterprise customers across all sizes. Satya Parimi, Group Vice President, Enterprise Data and Smart City at Spectrum Enterprise, discusses how NFV opens the door to deliver new and innovative services to enterprises.
Next-Gen Network Automation - Edge Data Centers
- Pluribus says data centers are becoming smaller and more distributed, moving into central offices and base station sites.
- These smaller edge data centers must become software-defined, making network automation absolutely critical.
Full summary
Data centers are becoming more distributed and smaller, says Mike Capuano, Chief Marketing Officer at Pluribus, moving into central offices or even radio base station aggregation locations. This makes network automation absolutely critical. These smaller data centers have to become software-defined.
Next-Gen SD-WAN: Testing for Assurance
- Spirent says testing and assurance are key to adopting the industry's first SD-WAN standard.
- SD-WAN testing spans functionality, performance, and security, and is more extensive than traditional infrastructure testing.
Full summary
Testing and service assurance is going to play a major role in enabling the adoption of the industry's first SD-WAN standard, specifically in terms of functionality, performance, and security. Marc Cohn, Director of Technology Strategy and Virtualization at Spirent and Co-Chair of MEF Certification Committee, discusses why SD-WAN testing is more extensive than traditional infrastructure testing.
Driving Digital Transformation
- Verizon calls SD-WAN fundamental for Zero Trust Networking through virtualized functions and coordinated policy.
- Verizon explains why its customers are embracing SD-WAN to better protect the enterprise.
Full summary
SD-WAN is fundamental for Zero Trust Networking. When you can virtualize functions and implement policy in coordination to SD-WAN you have the ability to better protect the enterprise. Shawn Hakl, Senior VP of Business Products at Verizon, talks about why Verizon's customers are embracing SD-WAN technology.
NGCO Network Infrastructure
- Broadcom's Rochan Sankar calls the NGCO a confluence of vision and product development.
- The NGCO requires virtualization and cloudification, with Ethernet-based interconnects opening room for innovation.
Full summary
The NGCO is an amazing opportunity and a confluence of vision and product development, says Rochan Sankar, Senior Director, Switch Products, Broadcom. NGCO requires virtualization and cloudification of the underlying network. The Ethernet-based interconnects for this infrastructure presents many opportunities for innovation.
NGCO - Kubernetes becomes the Universal Abstraction Layer
- CNCF's Dan Kohn positions Kubernetes, the Linux of the cloud, for a major role in carrier infrastructures.
- As VNFs evolve into cloud-native network functions, Kubernetes becomes the universal abstraction layer.
Full summary
Kubernetes, which is sometimes describes as "the Linux of the cloud," is poised to play a major role in next gen carrier infrastructures, says Dan Kohn, Executive Director, Cloud Native Computing Foundation, which is part of The Linux Foundation. Over time, virtual network functions (VNFs) will evolve to become cloud-native network functions (CNFs). In this world, Kubernetes can become the universal abstraction layer.
NGCO Foundation for 5G
- Ericsson's Anders Rosengren ties cloudification, virtualization, and containers to supporting 5G.
- Carriers must plan how network functions evolve to virtualized and then cloud-native.
Full summary
When we look at how the industry evolves toward cloudification, virtualization and containers, we see that this is really there to support 5G, says Anders Rosengren, Head of Architecture and Technology, Digital Services, Ericsson. Apart from the cloud infrastructure, carriers must also consider how their network functions will evolve to virtualized and then to cloud-native.
Stop Burning CPU Cores on Networking and Security
- Ethernity offloads the data path on its FPGA SmartNIC where general-purpose CPUs fall short.
- It accelerates mobile and fixed networks and offers complete switch-router capability on a NIC.
Full summary
Network functions in the NGCO require high throughput, low-latency, and deterministic behavior which general-purpose CPUs cannot always deliver. Ethernity provides data path offload on its FPGA SmartNIC, accelerating mobile and fixed networks to meet next-generation requirements and offering complete switch-router capability on a NIC.
NGCO puts x86 Servers at the Core
- Intel's Alex Quach says telcos are reinventing the central office to take advantage of server economics.
- Network functions are distributed to the edge with x86 as the enabling technology.
Full summary
Telcos are reinventing the central office architecture to take advantage of server economics, says Alex Quach, Vice President and General Manager, Wireline and Core Networks Division. Network functions are being distributed to the edge and x86 is an enabling technology.
NGCO - Service Agility in the 5G Core
- Nokia's Sandro Tavares says a cloud-native core lets the network deliver capacity exactly where needed.
- The new core architecture complements 5G possibilities.
Full summary
With a cloud-native core, the network is able to respond faster to deliver capacity exactly where it is needed, explains Sandro Tavares, Head of Campaign Strategy, Nokia. The new core architecture is really about complementing 5G possibilities.
Introducing NTT Ltd
- NTT Ltd launched July 1st, uniting 28 brands including Dimension Data, NTT Communications, and NTT Security.
- CEO Jason Goodall describes a 40,000-employee startup operating in 57 countries as a next-gen infrastructure company.
Full summary
NTT Ltd launched on the 1st of July to bring together 28 brands from around the world like Dimension Data, NTT Communications, NTT Security as well as other NTT acquisitions made in the last 10 years. The combined NTT Ltd is poised to be a next-gen infrastructure company and Jason Goodall, the newly appointed CEO, talks about this new "40,000 employee startup" that brings together the multitude of assets operating in 57 countries.
NGCO - The Network Transformation Journey
- Red Hat's Mark Wohlfarth says the NGCO brings change at the technical and cultural level.
- The NGCO is really about open platforms, open collaboration, and open innovation.
Full summary
The NGCO is bringing a lot of change not just at the technical level but also at the cultural level, says Mark Wohlfarth, VP, Global CSP Sales, Network Ecosystem, Red Hat. NGCO is really about Open Platforms, Open Collaboration, and Open Innovation.