Verizon brings 5G Edge to Microsoft Azure

Verizon is integrating its on-site 5G Edge network with Microsoft's Azure edge services to enable ultra-low latency services for enterprises.

The companies said their collaboration brings a mobile edge computing platform designed to enable developers to build applications for mobile end-users and wireless edge devices with ultra-low latency.

“We have built a network that provides real-world, 5G-enabled solutions TODAY,” said Rima Qureshi, EVP and Chief Strategy Officer at Verizon. “By bringing together Verizon’s 5G network and on-site 5G Edge platform with Microsoft’s expertise in cloud services, we will enable the development of the next generation technologies everyone has been envisioning.”

“By leveraging Verizon’s 5G network integrated with Microsoft’s cloud and edge capabilities, developers and businesses can benefit from fast, secure and reliable connections to deliver seamless digital experiences from massive industrial IoT workloads to precision medicine,” said Yousef Khalidi, corporate vice president Azure for Operators at Microsoft.

Verizon said it is also exploring opportunities to co-innovate with Microsoft to deliver new value to industries ranging from manufacturing to healthcare.

AWS Wavelength Zones open in Boston & San Francisco

Thursday, August 06, 2020  5G, AWS, Edge, MEC, Verizon  

Amazon announced that the first two AWS Wavelength Zones are now open, one in Boston and the other in San Francisco. The new zones will allow developers who want to build apps to service Verizon Wireless customers in those metropolitan areas.

AWS Wavelength Zones, which were first announced at AWS re:Invent 2019,  allow 5G operators to embed AWS hardware and software in their datacenters. The goal is to allow developers to build and deliver applications that can benefit from ultra-low latency.

Each WZ is associated with a specific AWS region known as the parent region. This is US East (N. Virginia) for the Wavelength Zone in Boston, and US West (N. California) for the AZ in San Francisco.

https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/aws-wavelength-zones-are-now-open-in-boston-san-francisco/

Verizon to offer 5G network edge computing with AWS Wavelength

Tuesday, December 03, 2019  5G, AWS, Edge, MEC, Verizon  

Verizon will be the first carrier to offer the new AWS Wavelength service to provide developers the ability to deploy applications that require ultra-low latency to mobile devices using 5G.  The service targets latency-sensitive use cases like machine learning inference at the edge, autonomous industrial equipment, smart cars and cities, Internet of Things (IoT), and augmented and virtual reality. The idea is to position AWS compute and storage services at the edge of Verizon’s 5G network.

The companies are currently piloting AWS Wavelength on Verizon’s edge compute platform, 5G Edge, in Chicago for a select group of customers, including video game publisher Bethesda Softworks and the National Football League (NFL). Additional deployments are planned in other locations across the U.S. in 2020.

Verizon 5G Edge provides mobile edge computing and an efficient high-volume connection between users, devices, and applications. AWS Wavelength lets customers deploy the parts of an application that require ultra-low latency to the edge of the network and then seamlessly connect back to the full range of cloud services running in AWS.

AWS also listed Vodafone Business, KDDI, and SK Telecom as partners.

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SK hynix to acquire Intel's NAND business for $9 billion

SK hynix agreed to acquire Intel’s NAND memory and storage business for US$9 billion. The deal includes the NAND SSD business, the NAND component and wafer business, and the Dalian NAND memory manufacturing facility in China. Intel will retain its distinct Intel OptaneT business.

“I am pleased to see SK hynix and Intel`s NAND division, which have led the NAND flash technology innovation, work to build the new future together,” said Seok-Hee Lee, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SK hynix. “By taking each other`s strengths and technologies, SK hynix will proactively respond to various needs from customers and optimize our business structure, expanding our innovative portfolio in the NAND flash market segment, which will be comparable with what we achieved in DRAM.”

Bob Swan, Intel CEO said, “I am proud of the NAND memory business we have built and believe this combination with SK hynix will grow the memory ecosystem for the benefit of customers, partners and employees. For Intel, this transaction will allow us to further prioritize our investments in differentiated technology where we can play a bigger role in the success of our customers and deliver attractive returns to our stockholders.”

For the first six months ended June 27, 2020, the NAND businesses represented approximately US $2.8 billion of the revenue for Intel`s Non-volatile Memory Solutions Group (NSG) and contributed approximately US$600 million to NSG operating income.

SK hynix developed the world’s first Charge Trap Flash (CTF)-based, 96-layer 4D NAND flash in 2018 and 128-layer 4D NAND flash in 2019. SK hynix will combine Intel`s solutions technology and manufacturing capability in order to establish a higher value-added 3D NAND solutions portfolio including enterprise SSDs.

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Comcast's Business Teleworker VPN is powered by Aruba

Comcast is launching a Business Teleworker VPN service to help enterprises provide their rapidly expanding remote workforces with highly reliable connection to their corporate network.

Comcast Business Teleworker VPN is powered by Aruba ESP, an enterprise-class, cloud-native platform which is centrally managed by Aruba Central’s single cloud console. When combined with Comcast’s Managed VPN Aggregator service at a business location, enterprises can securely connect home-based devices, including laptops, desktops, VoIP phones, printers, etc, to the corporate network.

“Though the number of people working partially or fully remote has been on the rise for years now, the pandemic has truly sent this trend into hyperdrive,” said Christian Nascimento, Vice President of Product Management, Comcast Business. “Comcast Business Teleworker VPN enables enterprises to reimagine the work from home experience for both employer and employee alike, all while maintaining the security, performance and management they enjoy in-office. This new solution is just one more example of how we are helping businesses be more agile in response to the changing needs of today’s rapidly evolving workforce.”

“Work-from-home solutions require enterprise-class security and performance, with consumer-class ease of use,” said Michael Dickman, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company. “Aruba ESP delivers on both fronts with secure policy-driven access to the full spectrum of corporate services, in a form factor perfect for home that is simple to use with plug-and-play installation.

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Juniper to Acquire 128 Technology - focus on AI-driven WANs

Juniper Networks agreed to acquire 128 Technology, a software-based networking company based in Burlington, Mass., for $450 million in cash and the assumption of outstanding equity awards. Juniper has also coordinated for 128 Technology to issue retention focused restricted stock units, which will be assumed by Juniper.

128 Technology’s session-smart networking enables enterprise customers and service providers to create a user experience-centric fabric for WAN connectivity. Routing decisions are based on real-time user sessions and agile business policies instead of static network policies configured on a per tunnel basis. The company, which was founded in 2014 and launched in 2016,  is headed by Andy Orly, co-founder and CEO.

 Juniper said the deal will enhance its AI-driven enterprise network portfolio by uniting 128 Technology’s Session Smart networking with Juniper’s campus and branch solutions driven by Mist AI. 128 Technology will be integrated with Juniper’s AI-Driven Enterprise business unit, which includes wired and wireless access and SD-WAN, all driven by Mist AI. The combined portfolio will give customers a unified platform for optimized user experiences from client-to-cloud.

“The acquisition of 128 Technology will enable Juniper to accelerate in a key area where we are seeing enormous success – the AI-driven enterprise,” said Rami Rahim, CEO of Juniper Networks. “Both companies share a common vision of putting user experiences above all else and leveraging automation with proactive actions to simplify IT operations. With 128 Technology, we are adding a highly differentiated technology into our award-winning arsenal of campus and branch solutions driven by Mist AI to deliver even more customer value while further accelerating Juniper’s continued growth in the enterprise.”

“128 Technology has brought to market a groundbreaking session-based routing solution that gives rise to experience-based networking. This allows our customers to realign their network with the requirements of a digital future that includes cloud, mobility and virtualization,” said Andy Ory, Co-Founder and CEO of 128 Technology. “The combination of our Session Smart Router with Juniper’s AI-driven enterprise portfolio, expansive channel and world-class support will dramatically accelerate our vision to transform networking and make a big impact on a very large, yet still highly under-served, WAN-Edge market.”

128 Technology raises $30M for smart session routing

Thursday, September 19, 2019  Funding, SD-WAN, Start-Ups  

128 Technology, a start-up based in Burlington, Massachusetts, closed $30 million in Series D financing for its "Session Smart" Routing technology.

“The latest round of funding comes at a pivotal time for 128 Technology, when we’re seeing higher than ever demand for our session-based, service-centric networking approach,” said Andy Ory, CEO of 128 Technology. “As virtualization and cloud are shaping our connected future, 128 Technology’s approach offers users a simple, agile solution and helps enterprises manage their networks efficiently and securely.”

“Andy Ory and his rapidly growing 128 Technology team have disrupted the multi-billion-dollar market for traditional networking by delivering proven, next generation network services that give customers freedom from increased risks, unnecessary costs and vendor lock-in,” said Sonja Hoel Perkins, Managing Director, The Perkins Fund. “As companies around the globe continue to invest in solutions that meet the demands for a new model of virtual networking, 128 Technology has created a large, untapped market opportunity.”

Existing investors all participated in the oversubscribed round, including executive management and current employees of 128 Technology, G20 Ventures, The Perkins Fund and individual investors. The company has raised $97.4 million to date.

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NASA picks Nokia to supply 4G network for the Moon

NASA has selected Nokia to deploy the first LTE/4G communications system on the lunar surface.

Nokia’s lunar network consists of an LTE Base Station with integrated Evolved Packet Core (EPC) functionalities, LTE User Equipment, RF antennas and high-reliability operations and maintenance (O&M) control software. The solution has been specially designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the launch and lunar landing, and to operate in the extreme conditions of space. The fully integrated cellular network meets very stringent size, weight and power constraints of space payloads in an extremely compact form factor.

Nokia is partnering with Intuitive Machines for this mission to integrate this groundbreaking network into their lunar lander and deliver it to the lunar surface. The network will self-configure upon deployment and establish the first LTE communications system on the Moon.  

Marcus Weldon, Chief Technology Officer at Nokia and Nokia Bell Labs President, said: "Leveraging our rich and successful history in space technologies, from pioneering satellite communication to discovering the cosmic microwave background radiation produced by the Big Bang, we are now building the first ever cellular communications network on the Moon. Reliable, resilient and high-capacity communications networks will be key to supporting sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. By building the first high performance wireless network solution on the Moon, Nokia Bell Labs is once again planting the flag for pioneering innovation beyond the conventional limits.”

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AT&T adds Nokia to CBRS private networking solutions

AT&T has added Nokia’s end-to-end industrial-grade capabilities to its AT&T Private Cellular Networks solutions. The joint offering enables private networks through AT&T using Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum and Nokia infrastructure. Both Nokia Digital Automation Cloud and Modular Private Wireless platforms will be offered by AT&T.

Raghav Sahgal, President of Nokia Enterprise, said: “We have a long and storied relationship with AT&T, and now we’re tapping into our joint enterprise expertise to help businesess realize the Industry 4.0 opportunity. Nokia is a leader in private wireless deployments, giving us tremendous insights into the challenges and requirements for deploying this technology across multiple industries. We look forward to working with the AT&T team to bring these insights to businesses.”

AT&T and Ericsson team on Private Networks over CBRS

Thursday, October 15, 2020  AT&T, CBRS, Ericsson  

 AT&T and Ericsson are teaming up to offer private networking solutions for enterprises using CBRS shared spectrum.

The AT&T Private Cellular Networks service will use Ericsson infrastructure for a localized cellular core and access network. These networks are purpose-built for specific use cases in industrial environments like factories and warehouses, as well as remote locations like mines. Ericsson’s Industry Connect platform also provides a path to 5G. 

The new service complements AT&T’s on-premises edge portfolio, which includes AT&T Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC).

“It’s always been about options for our customers, especially as they are innovating faster than ever,” said Robert Boyanovsky, VP Enterprise Mobility, AT&T Business. “We’ve been expanding our networking capabilities, and this is a new way for businesses to explore what they can do with private cellular networks – including on-premises edge computing and connecting more IoT devices.”

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Sierra Wireless builds multi-network 5G vehicle router

Sierra Wireless unveiled its AirLink MG90 5G platform, a multi-network 5G vehicle networking solution that provides secure, always-on mobile connectivity for mission-critical first responder, field service and transit applications. 

The ruggedized MG90 5G allows users to leverage the existing 4G infrastructure and automatically connect to 5G networks as they become available regionally. The unit offers MIL-STD-810G conformance to shock, vibration, thermal shock, and humidity, IP64 ingress protection as well as E-Mark vehicle type approval and EN50155 Rail certification. The MG90 5G will be certified on FirstNet, ESN and other carrier networks as they roll out. 

https://www.sierrawireless.com/products-and-solutions/routers-gateways/mg90

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CommScope acquires virtual RAN patents from Phluido

CommScope has acquired the complete patent portfolio for virtual radio access networks (vRAN) of Phluido, a privately-held company based in San Diego. These patents address key concepts introduced in both 5G and O-RAN radio access networks, including efficient fronthaul transport, virtualization, and network synchronization. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“We believe the acquisition of this intellectual property, combined with our ONECELL patent portfolio, further solidifies CommScope’s position as innovative indoor RAN provider,” said Matt Melester, chief technology officer for CommScope’s Venue and Campus Networks and Outdoor Wireless Networks businesses. “Both Phluido and our ONECELL platform introduced new concepts in 4G which are now key components in 5G architectures.”

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LightRiver partners with Smartoptics

LightRiver, an optical network integration solution provider, is partnering with Smartoptics to accelerate the design, delivery and automation of its leading open line, Optical Disaggregation Networking Solutions.

Smartoptics provides optical networking solutions and devices for the new era of open networking, including its DCP family of open line systems allow for unprecedented flexibility in configuring optical point-to-point, ring and mesh networks at the lowest possible cost. 

"With an open architecture, the functionality of optical transport systems can be disaggregated, using embedded transceivers, Open Line Systems and Optical Domain Control. This results in a much better price and performance for customers," states Per Burman, Chief Marketing Officer of Smartoptics. "We are extremely pleased to partner with LightRiver, thus being able to provide customers with our DCP-M family of truly Open Line Systems, managed by netFLEX, which can help break vendor lock-in. We understand that even with the significant advantages that disaggregated networks provide, there are also challenges, such as controlling the optical domain end-to-end. netFLEX addresses this challenge and gives customers control over their optical network." 

"Plug-and-play is only effective if your software driven controls enable life-cycle network and service automation of the disparate, interconnected network elements," comments Dean Campbell, Chief Technology Officer for LightRiver. "As network disaggregation continues to grow in importance for network operators of all sizes, LightRiver has expanded the product portfolio around engineering and design, Factory Built Networks, equipment sourcing, and network automation to accommodate a growing base of disaggregation use cases."

http://www.lightriver.com

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