Wednesday, January 12, 2022
2022 Predictions from Thought Leaders
Ericsson Cloud RAN passes security audit
Ericsson’s Cloud RAN offering has passed the independent Network Equipment Security Assurance Scheme (NESAS) audit, making it fully compliant with the security requirements defined by global standards organizations 3GPP and GSMA.
NESAS was introduced in recent years to provide a common security assurance framework for secure product development and product lifecycle processes across the mobile industry. Conformance with NESAS is an integral part of Ericsson’s Security Reliability Model, SRM.
Per Narvinger, Head of Product Area Networks, Ericsson, says: “With 5G rollouts accelerating across the world, 5G network security is rapidly becoming a key topic among regulators, authorities, service providers and their consumer and business customers. Security is a key cornerstone in the design of our products and with the software and hardware disaggregation, it is even more important that security is built in from the start. I am therefore pleased that Cloud RAN is now confirmed NESAS-compliant as it adds another layer of credibility and trustworthiness to our Ericsson radio access network (RAN) portfolio.”
https://www.ericsson.com/en/news/2022/1/ericsson-cloud-ran-passes-gsmas-nesas-security-audit
Ericsson's Cloud RAN is coming in Q4 2021
Ericsson involved a cloud-native software solution for handling compute functionality in the RAN.
Cloud RAN by Ericsson, which will be released in stages, will complement high-performing purpose-built baseband offerings in the Ericsson Radio System portfolio. The first stage will be available in the fourth quarter of 2021 and will include Ericsson’s new Cloud RAN application software – Cloud RAN DU and Cloud RAN CU. It also includes new Radio Gateways, enabling a full utilization of the installed base of remote radios, making them fully compatible with Cloud RAN. These products set the foundation for future mid-band rollouts. Ericsson Cloud RAN is fully compatible with the Ericsson Radio System portfolio, and supports Ericsson Spectrum Sharing and 5G standalone and non-standalone.
Ericsson said its cloud-native software solution will deliver network capabilities for both large-scale and centralized 5G deployments, including for new 5G use cases for indoor, industry, enterprise, stadiums, etc.
Swisscom installs Ericsson NFVi in core network
Swisscom has installed Ericsson's Network Functions Virtualization infrastructure (NFVi) solution in its core network. The Swisscom cloud-based enterprise service, which went live in September, is based on Ericsson's full-stack telco cloud infrastructure. Ericsson’s NFVi offering comprises Ericsson Cloud Manager, Ericsson Cloud Execution Environment, Ericsson Cloud SDN, Ericsson Hyperscale Datacenter System 8000, and system integration and support...
Telstra implements cloud-native 5G core with Ericsson
Telstra has now upgraded its 5G radio access network (RAN) coverage footprint across Australia, connecting a Cloud Native 5G Core network to handle new 5G Standalone traffic. Ericsson is Telstra's lead vendor. 5G Standalone means that Telstra already has the capability to run 5G independent of existing 4G network technology. 5G SA devices are expected to be commercially available in Australia in late 2020. Nikos Katinakis, Telstra’s Group Executive...
Nokia targets 100% renewable electricity by 2025
Nokia has joined RE100, a global initiative led by the Climate Group in partnership with CDP, which brings together the world’s most influential businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity.
Nokia also confirmed its target to reduce emissions from its own operations by moving to 100% renewable electricity by 2025. Nokia's usage across the business in 2020 was 39% and it is on track to reach the 45% target for 2021.
Additionally, in line with the Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) temperature target of 1.5°C, Nokia will continue to focus on reducing its emissions by 50% across its value chain, including its own operations, products in use, logistics, and final assembly supplier factories by 2030.
Melissa Schoeb, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, said: "We are proud to be joining the RE100 initiative in recognition of our efforts to move to 100% renewable electricity by 2025. But this is just one part of our decarbonization strategy. We’re working with our suppliers and customers to reduce emissions across our value chain and continually innovating to improve the energy efficiency of our technologies so we can make our own and other industries more sustainable."
BT wins network transformation contract with ABB
BT has been awarded a network transformation contract by ABB
The new contract builds on an existing agreement, signed in 2014, under which BT consolidated and optimised the leading global technology company’s international communications infrastructure. Working with ABB’s Information Systems team, BT will now transform the network infrastructure to create a sustainable, resilient and secure core platform featuring a highly automated and data-driven managed service. The communications infrastructure will reliably and securely connect people, devices and machines at over 600 facilities in 60 countries. Using the latest software-defined networking technology, it will offer ABB a choice of connectivity options for each site, including 5G access.
BT said it will also provide ABB with a new software-driven platform delivered over Wifi 6 to enable mobility and digital manufacturing concepts, such as robotics, Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data technologies at production sites. Both companies have committed to a co-innovation fund as part of the contract.
https://newsroom.bt.com/bt-engineers-new-digital-network-infrastructure-for-abb/
SHARE cable links Senegal and Cape Verde with 16 Tbps capacity
HMN Tech (formerly Huawei Marine Networks) completed the marine deployment of the Senegal Horn of Africa Regional Express (SHARE) submarine cable system, with landfalls in both Snegal and Cape Verde.
“SHARE Cable, the first submarine optical cable totally owned by the Senegalese State, offers a great strategic opportunity to Senegal and the west African region to have more Internet capacities and better resilience. Directly connecting to Cape Verde, Senegal is anticipating to become one of the Internet hubs in West Africa. ADIE, by operating a low-latency, high-quality and large-capacity optical submarine cable, is ready to provide to network operators and ISP enough Internet bandwidth that can benefits to both local residents and businesses to boost the digital economy development,” said Mr. Cheikh BAKHOUM, CEO of Agence De l’Informatique de l’Etat.
Gulf Bridge upgrades subsea performance with Ciena’s GeoMesh
Gulf Bridge International (GBI), which operates subsea cable systems between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Europe and India, is deploying Ciena’s GeoMesh Extreme.
GBI’s upgrade with Ciena uses the latest technologies to increase design capacity by 10 Tbps, enhance its capabilities, and provide increased flexibility in delivery times.
“Ciena’s WaveLogic 5 Extreme coherent optical technology will allow us to maximize the use of our fiber assets, ensuring a great quality of service for our customers,” said Cengiz Oztelcan, Chief Executive Officer, GBI. “We are excited to continue to expand our relationship with Ciena. GBI can now add significant capacity and intelligence to the network to meet requirements from customers including Internet Content Providers (ICPs).”
“Ciena’s WaveLogic technology and software will help GBI create a network that can adapt, self-optimize, and scale to meet customer demands,” said Jamie Jefferies, Vice President and General Manager, International, Ciena. “We understand the importance for GBI to have a programmable and reliable submarine network – especially as the region will soon be hosting the world’s biggest football tournament, which is expected to drive a great deal of video traffic.”
Gulf Bridge signs on for ExpressRoute in Middle East
Gulf Bridge International (GBI), which is based in Qatar, and Microsoft have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will support regional cloud adoption in the Middle East.
GBI will serve as an ExpressRoute connectivity partner, enabling customers to benefit from low latency and private cloud connectivity.
“We are continually exploring new ways to optimise digital experiences for enterprises, and our partnership with Microsoft represents one of the many milestones taken on GBI’s transformation journey,” said Abdulla Al Rwaili, Executive Director and Managing Director at GBI. “The partnership will enable organisations of all kinds to make the move to the cloud with confidence and provide a foundation for digital transformation. We look forward to enabling more organisations to benefit from the flexibility and agility of the cloud.”
Zayo acquires QOS Networks for SD-WAN management
Zayo Group Holdings has acquired QOS Networks, a provider of SD-WAN and edge managed services, from majority owner M/C Partners. Financial terms were not disclosed.
QOS Networks offers an SD-WAN and global network management solution for large enterprises. QOS uses an AIops-driven network operations platform and proactive network management to deliver the full potential of SD-WAN. As a division of Zayo, the QOS brand will be retained and CEO Frank Cittadino will take on the role of SVP of Edge Services for Zayo.
“As we begin our next phase of growth with Zayo, QOS Networks will continue to focus on driving highly automated SD-WAN solutions for enterprise customers,” said Cittadino. “M/C Partners played a pivotal role in our growth and maturity in helping establish QOS Networks as a leading SDWAN service provider. Throughout our partnership with M/C Partners, Travis Keller and team stayed focused on enabling the management team while challenging us to drive the transformative solutions which was the support that drove QOS Networks to a great outcome.”
M/C Partners is also a founding investor in Zayo.
Ekinops posts full-year 2021 revenue of €103.6m, + 12% Y-o-Y
For 2021, Ekinops topped the €100m mark for the first time with annual consolidated revenue of €103.6m, an increase of 12% (Y-o-Y comparable basis). For Q4, Ekinops reported consolidated revenue of €28.7m in the fourth quarter, up 13% from fourth-quarter 2020.
Ekinops said positive trend was fueled by growth in all the Group’s businesses (Transport, Access and Software), and notably by powerful sales momentum in Optical Transport solutions across all geographical regions. Bolstered by the success of the Software Defined Networks (SDN) and virtualization offering, and by the contribution of two months of business from SixSq, the share of software and services continued to grow, accounting for over 14% of Group revenue in 2021 (compared with 10% in 2020). Full-year revenue generated by software and services rose by over 60%, consistent with Ekinops’ targets.
Ekinops posted dynamic growth internationally in 2021, up 18% for the full year. Business was particularly strong in North America and the EMEA region (Europe (excluding France), Middle East and Africa). International business accounted for 67% of total business in 2021 (vs 63% for full-year 2020). Business activity was practically stable in France (-0.3%). Revenue came out at €33.8m relative to strong activity in 2020 (+9%). France accounted for 33% of Group business in 2021 (vs 37% in 2020).
Didier Brédy, Chairman and CEO of Ekinops, states “Ekinops once again set new records in 2021. Having achieved our strongest-ever fourth quarter, we topped the mark of €100m in annual revenue for the very first time by posting double-digit organic growth in four consecutive quarters. All our business lines reported growth in 2021, with a special mention going to the sharp increase in Optical Transport products in North America and EMEA alike. When buying OTN technology in 2019, our objective was to triple sales of Optical Transport products in five years. We have already doubled these sales in a little over two years and we are considerably ahead of our target. A further point of satisfaction in 2021 was the strong development in software and services activities. These now account for 14% of our activity, compared with 10% in 2020, and serve to improve our profitability. For all these reasons, I am particularly optimistic that we will continue to grow our business activity substantially in 2022.”
Telstra hires Vish Vishwanathan to head Wholesale Group in the Americas
Telstra has named Vish Vishwanathan as Vice President of its Wholesale group for the Americas. Vishwanathan previously led global IP network sales for NTT and has also held senior sales and market development roles at CenturyLink, MCI International and Motorola.
“Telstra’s leadership in trans-Pacific connectivity and reach across Asia provides a lot of opportunity in the market,” said Vishwanathan. “Operators are shoring up their networks to meet explosive customer demand and Telstra’s continued investment in its network, products and services means we are incredibly well-placed to support this growth.”
“Vish brings significant experience leading go-to-market strategies and customer-facing teams, along with a strong track record across international markets,” said Nicholas Collins, President, Telstra Americas. This combination makes him a formidable appointment to lead the next chapter of our ambitious wholesale growth in the Americas.”
