Google Cloud has signed a new partnership with Intel, under the strategy unveiled last year to help operators monetise 5G for business services. The partners will together develop hardware and software, including reference architectures and integrated systems, for companies looking to deploy 5G and edge network services. Google Cloud said the goal will be threefold: to help CSPs deploy Virtualized RAN (vRAN) and Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) services by providing next-generation infrastructure and hardware; to launch new lab environments where companies can innovate on cloud-native 5G; and to make it easier for them to deliver business applications to the network edge.
To help firms streamline the rollout of vRAN and therefore 5G, Google Cloud will marry its global infrastructure and capabilities with Intel FlexRAN reference software, its cloud-native Open Network Edge Service Software (OpenNESS) deployment model and best practices applicable to Anthos, its Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK) and hardware infrastructure based on Intel Xeon processors, and its new reference architecture and solutions to accelerate 5G vRAN with Anthos, an application platform.
The partners will also launch a Network Functions Validation lab where vendors can test, optimize and validate their core network functions running on Google Cloud’s Anthos for Telecom platform. The lab will help customers conceive, plan, and implement their 5G and edge application strategies.
Finally, the companies will develop edge services backed by Intel technology. Google Cloud will in addition work closely with Intel to create blueprints and systems to accelerate edge transformation in key industries, such as manufacturing or retail.
