The adoption of cloud RAN architectures has been slowed by concerns about performance and implementation challenges. To address these issues, the industry has moved toward the development of hardware acceleration solutions and the deployment of denser compute platforms to address the cloud RAN cost-performance challenge. Pre-integration of network architecture and validation of use case requirements needs to be done in advance, so solutions are simple and efficient to deploy.
To accelerate cloud RAN adoption, Dell Technologies and Nokia have formed an agreement to integrate, interoperability test and validate a solution combining Nokia 5G Cloud RAN software and Nokia Cloud RAN SmartNIC (Network Interface Card) in-line Layer 1 (L1) accelerator hardware with Dell open infrastructure, including Dell PowerEdge servers.
To achieve these results, Dell and Nokia will both deploy R&D and testing resources. Dell will utilize its Open Telecom Ecosystem Lab as the center for testing and validation, while Nokia will focus its work on its Open Cloud RAN E2E System Test Lab. The companies will be sharing engineering and R&D resources to jointly complete the scope of the collaboration and take the resulting solution to market.
Additionally, Dell Technologies and Nokia have achieved a Layer 3 end-to-end data call running Nokia Cloud RAN software and the Nokia Cloud RAN SmartNIC In-Line L1 acceleration on Dell PowerEdge servers. Dell and Nokia will establish joint marketing and sales strategies and a mutual co-sell agreement to promote and deliver the resulting solution to prospective customers.
“The combination of Nokia’s Cloud RAN software and Cloud RAN SmartNIC with Dell’s purpose-designed telecom open infrastructure and Dell PowerEdge servers unlocks more flexibility, choice and helps our customers choose competitive Cloud RAN solutions that prioritize performance and energy efficiency. By pooling our resources and expertise together we can create more compelling and integrated solutions that accelerate the adoption of open technologies and bring innovative solutions to the market faster. Nokia’s approach in collaborating with our best-in-class partners is delivering competitive advantage to organizations embracing Cloud RAN,” commented Tommi Uitto, president of Mobile Networks, Nokia.
“It’s critical to collaborate with partners such as Nokia to enable telecom network disaggregation and accelerate the adoption of open network architectures,” said Dennis Hoffman, senior vice president and general manager, Dell Technologies Telecom Systems Business. “Integrating Nokia’s Cloud RAN software and Cloud RAN SmartNIC with Dell infrastructure that is purpose built for telecom networks, will give network operators another choice to realize the value of open technologies and quickly bring innovative and revenue generating solutions to market.”
Collaborations like Dell and Nokia will help the industry adopt cloud-native solutions. Dell is eager to work alongside RAN leaders such as Nokia to bring open and innovative RAN solutions to the market.
