Edge cloud is a big part of the solution that mobile network operators (MNOs) need for innovative next-generation services – and the revenues that come from them.
That why we’re seeing much more interest from MNOs in edge cloud technology. But with deployments spanning thousands or even tens of thousands of servers, we depend on collaboration with our ecosystem to simplify these deployments and make the experience for our MNO customers far better.
That’s why I am excited for our recently announced collaboration with Lenovo to create ready-to-deploy edge cloud servers using Rakuten Cloud-Native Platform (CNP) coupled with Lenovo’s ThinkSystem Rack and ThinkEdge Servers, including the recently announced ThinkEdge SE455 V3.
(Hear my conversation with Lenovo’s Dominique Vanhamme about this partnership on the Six Five Podcast here.)
This partnership (details in the press release) is vital because deploying edge cloud compute requires collaboration between software providers and the infrastructure providers – especially when it’s done at the scale of an MNO network.
The tight system integration between Rakuten CNP and the Lenovo servers reduces operating costs and complexity and accelerates time to delivery contributing to much shorter network build out time frames. For more product details see this joint solution brief.
AI is doubly important in edge cloud because it will be used both for operating the network as well as providing future consumer services.
On the network operations front, we’re developing AI models based on a large amounts of real-world operations data from the mobile network of our sister company Rakuten Mobile. This allows us to create very accurate AI models that address a wide range of operational issues.
Another of the big steps we’ve taken to make telco AI a reality is a partnership with OpenAI focused on using that technology to initially help MNOs with planning, building and managing their mobile networks.
Working with Lenovo we want to expand the use of AI to improve the orchestration and automation of edge cloud platforms throughout their lifecycle – from zero touch deployment to decommissioning of services.
We also have our eyes on the future, which will be to use AI to understand end customer behavior and make that customer’s experience better. With this information, the MNO is in a better position to sell new services and new products providing fresh, new revenue sources.
Lenovo has been a great partner because we share the same vision for the future of mobile networks and because they have products that are designed to help us reach that future.
The ThinkEdge SE455 V3 edge cloud server ticks all the important boxes for features that MNOs need, starting with performance driven by a 64-core datacenter class CPU with up to six accelerators for added throughput for key workloads like Open RAN.
The server offers edge-optimized physical security features including lockable security bezel and top cover and the ability to lock the server into the rack with a security key.
Other security features include self-encrypting drives and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 with Secure Boot. The Lenovo XClarity Controller can even initiate a system lockdown should the anti-tamper sensors be triggered.
Power efficiency is important in edge cloud servers, and we’re worked with the power management features within the server to reduce power consumption during low utilization periods to help MNOs meet energy consumption mandates.
Many MNOs are at a crossroads in their businesses. They are having issues with growing their customer base, increasing ARPU, and offering additional services beyond connectivity. At the same time, they know the impact that edge cloud servers can have on these challenges. Rakuten Symphony and Lenovo are doing the integration work to develop an edge cloud system that is designed for the unique needs and massive scale of these deployments.
I think the following Lenovo executive quote captures the customer benefit of this partnership quite well. It comes from an interview I conducted with Lenovo Director of Global Business Development, Edge Computing, Chadie Ghadie: “We’re very excited to work with Rakuten Symphony … cloud and orchestration platforms to bring more value to our customers and increase their operational efficiency. What you guys have done … to manage different workloads across different market segments will bring a lot of value to our telco customers in particular, but also to their end customers as well.”
