Application Infrastructure

IDTechEx Discusses 4 Challenges That 5G Open RAN Advocates Must Solve

IDTechEx | December 17, 2021

IDTechEx
As of mid-2021, 5G is a reality in at least 78 nations. 5G is now being used in consumer sectors such as 5G smartphones, 5G broadband (fixed wireless access), and augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) games. In the foreseeable future, IDTechEx anticipates seeing widespread use of 5G in corporate areas such as industry 4.0, autonomous cars, and so on. 5G is a collection of optimized and updated mobile communication technologies, as well as new characteristics resulting from frequency changes (4G: 3 GHz 5G: 3.5-7 GHz (also known as sub-6 GHz) or > 24 GHz (also known as mmWave)) and larger bandwidth, which are the reasons why 5G can tackle so many industries that previous generations could not.

The deployment of 5G infrastructure is critical to enabling widespread 5G adoption. South Korea launched the world's first 5G network in 2018, and nations such as China and the United States have since followed suit. According to IDTechEx's newly released market research analysis, "5G Technology, Market and Forecasts 2022-2032", legacy telecom system suppliers such as Huawei, Ericsson, and Nokia control a sizable portion of the 5G infrastructure industry, with Huawei leading with 36.4 percent in 2020, followed by Ericsson with 26.7 percent.

To eliminate the proprietary nature of the radio access network (RAN) system, diversify the vendor supply chain in the telecom industry, foster more innovation, and reduce the upfront and operational cost of RAN deployment telecom operators are pushing Open RAN development. But wait...what is Open RAN?

Open RAN is one of the key topics when speaking of 5G network deployment. Open RAN is a network alternative to traditional legacy RAN that allows components (including hardware and software) with interoperable standards from various suppliers to work together smoothly. In Open RAN, there are two network architecture transformations: 1. Hardware decomposition (For example, a baseband unit is separated into three sections: the central unit, the distributed unit, and the radio unit). 2. Hardware and software separation. Overall, Open RAN allows telecom operators to choose from a variety of suppliers to get the equipment that best suits their needs.

IDTechEx believes that Open RAN is an unstoppable trend. It is not a question of whether it will really take off, but rather of when there will be a large-scale deployment of Open RAN.

As of 2021, there are already several small-scale Open RAN trials underway, showing that the initiative is gaining pace. Vodafone, for example, said in June 2021 that it will start to build 5G Open RAN development in the UK, focusing on rural areas first. This will be Europe's first Open RAN commercial deployment. Vodafone also mentioned that they will further expand the Open RAN networks to other Vodafone-operated countries, such as other European countries and South Africa.

Vodafone is not the only telecom provider undertaking 5G Open RAN development in Europe. Its competitors, including Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, and Orange, have all stated a strategic intention to deploy 5G Open RAN networks before 2025.

Japan is another important breeding ground for Open RAN; except for SoftBank, all the other Japanese telecom carriers are proactively embracing it. Rakuten, an early Open RAN pioneer, deployed their Open RAN 4G network in February 2019 and their Open RAN 5G networks in September 2020. NTT DOCOMO stated earlier this year that it will collaborate with Samsung on the development of 5G Open RAN networks.

In China, where the RAN infrastructure market is immense, telecom operators such as China Mobile and China Unicom are also trailing Open RAN equipment. In the U.S., Verizon stated that it will work with Samsung to deploy its mmWave and C-band (sub-6 GHz frequency range) holdings based on Open RAN from this year.

Nonetheless, there are several challenges with Open RAN networks that must be overcome before the bulk of telecom carriers adopt the technology. IDTechEx identifies 4 key challenges in their newly released "5G Technology, Market and Forecasts 2022-2032" report:

Real Open RAN: For operators, the key to enabling true Open RAN is the interfaces. This requires mass adoption of, and participation in, open RAN interfaces and elements. Otherwise, the result is poor interoperability with inconsistent integration of equipment and software from multiple vendors. From conversations with some 5G Open RAN players, IDTechEx learned that while many firms claim to provide Open RAN solutions, not every company is giving this enough consideration.

Efficient testing scheme: Providing efficient testing schemes for vendors to demonstrate the interoperability of their devices is important.

RAN intelligent controller (RIC) development: RIC is Open RAN's brain and the secret to Open RAN outperforming traditional RAN. Nevertheless, the RIC development is still slow. Only very few vendors have RIC now and the functions that their RIC provides are also very basic.

The value of Open RAN: Not every operator shows interest in the Open RAN. For example, T-Mobile U.S. shows some serious concerns towards Open RAN and is hesitant to move forward with it. One common concern among operators is the question of trust and liability: "Is the new equipment from this new provider dependable? Now that I have several suppliers supplying me with various pieces of equipment, who should I contact if an issue arises?"

Advocates for Open RAN are working to solve these issues. NTT DOCOMO and Rakuten, for example, are building their own 5G Open RAN ecosystem to not only serve as a model for other operators who are still reluctant but also as a new business model which they can offer their "Open RAN package" to other telecom operators.

Overall, Open RAN is still in its early stages, and it will take these pioneers years to demonstrate the reliability of their Open RAN networks. From IDTechEx's perspective, it will be at least 5 years before the Open RAN market begins to expand rapidly in the 5G infrastructure industry. In the "5G Technology, Market and Forecasts 2022-2032" report, IDTechEx examines more Open RAN disruption in the 5G infrastructure market, including the Open RAN business model, players, commoditization risk, Open RAN for private or commercial 5G networks, and legacy suppliers' (Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia) attitudes and strategies toward Open RAN.

About IDTechEx

IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies.

Spotlight

The incredible thing about urban life is the convenience it offers. As the world goes digital, it is innovation that makes lives easier and better. And KONE Corporations aspires to take this innovation to the next level. The company is on a quest to reimagine urban life and discover new business opportunities on the way. They de


Other News
Application Infrastructure, Storage Management

DataBank Introduces Innovative Approach to Building Next-Gen Data Centers

prnewswire | August 11, 2023

DataBank, a leading provider of enterprise-class edge colocation, interconnection, and managed services, announced today a new approach to building high-density data centers to accommodate High-Performance Computing (HPC). Enabling HPC, Universal Data Hall Design (UDHD) empowers businesses with the flexibility to support any deployment their workloads require. With a market expected to reach $103.74 billion by 2030, generative AI's accelerated adoption has driven an increase in demand for high-density colocation. As technology continues to advance, data centers must be able to scale and adapt quickly to handle an increasingly diverse range of workloads – from power-dense HPC clusters to sprawling hyperscale cloud installations to traditional raised-floor, enterprise colocation. "In order to future-proof their facilities, multi-tenant data center operators must rethink facility design, construction, and operations to allow for more flexibility and sustainability," said Eric Swartz, vice president of engineering at DataBank. "With UDHD, DataBank is able to accommodate hyperscale, traditional, and HPC all within the same, highly secure data hall." Key elements to DataBank's Next-Gen Data Centers implementing a Universal Data Hall Design are the traditional components of data center colocation with an eye toward flexibility and resiliency: Space - Starting with slab floor and all power and cooling infrastructure outside the data hall as the initial base, with raised floor and water to rack layers that easily can be added to any hall; this layered design approach allows any hall within the data center to be adjusted to customer needs. Power - Support for distribution as traditional 120/208V or high density 240/415V as whips or through busway without change to the supporting infrastructure. Cooling - With a closed chilled water loop and the layered design approach, each hall can independently support different cooling methods from flooded room to localized air delivery using raised floor and even water to the rack supporting rear door heat exchangers and/or direct chip cooling. This design renders the additional benefit of sustainability, as efficient power and water systems reduce the consumption of resources. "Universal Data Hall Design is crucial to innovation. As technology evolves, our data centers are able to evolve with it," said Joe Minarik, COO of DataBank. "While most of the industry is trying to navigate the here and now, we're already building the data centers of the future." About DataBank DataBank helps the world's largest enterprises, technology, and content providers ensure their data and applications are always on, always secure, always compliant, and ready to scale to meet the needs of the artificial intelligence era. Our edge colocation and infrastructure footprint consists of 65+ "HPC-ready" data centers in 27+ markets, 20 interconnection hubs, and on-ramps to an ecosystem of cloud providers with virtually unlimited reach. We combine these platforms with contract portability, managed security, compliance enablement, hands-on support, and a guarantee of 100% uptime availability, to give our customers absolute confidence in their IT infrastructure and the power to create a boundless digital future for their business.

Read More

Hyper-Converged Infrastructure

Cloudflare Helps Companies Reduce Their IT Infrastructure's Carbon Footprint By Up To 96% by Moving To The Cloud

Business Wire | September 26, 2023

Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE: NET), the security, performance, and reliability company helping to build a better Internet, today shared a new independent report published by Analysys Mason that shows switching enterprise network services from on premises devices to Cloudflare’s cloud-based services can cut related carbon emissions up to 78% for very large businesses to up to 96% for small businesses. The report is one of the first of its kind to calculate potential emissions savings achieved by replacing enterprise network and security hardware boxes with more efficient cloud services. Global Internet usage accounts for 3.7% of global CO2 emissions, about equal to the CO2 emissions of all air traffic around the world. The Internet needs to reduce its overall energy consumption, especially as regulators continue to implement the Paris Climate Accord, including plans to transition to a zero emissions economy. The European Climate Law requires that Europe’s economy and society become climate-neutral by 2050, with a target of reducing net GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. Regulators in the United States and the European Union, among others, have also announced plans to require companies to disclose climate-related information including carbon emissions resulting from their operations and supply chains, as well as climate related risks and opportunities. Finally, among the Fortune Global 500, 63% of companies now set 2050 targets for emissions reductions. Companies large and small will increasingly be looking to reduce carbon throughout their supply chains, particularly their IT infrastructure. “The best way to reduce your IT infrastructure’s carbon footprint is easy: move to the cloud,” said Matthew Prince, CEO and co-founder, Cloudflare. “At Cloudflare, we’ve built one of the world’s most efficient networks, getting the most out of every watt of energy and every one of our servers. That’s why, with Cloudflare, companies can help hit their sustainability goals without sacrificing security, speed, performance, or innovation.” The Analysys Mason study found that switching enterprise network services from on premises devices to Cloudflare services can cut related carbon emissions up to 96%, depending on the current network footprint. The greatest reduction comes from consolidating services, which improves carbon efficiency by increasing the utilization of servers that are providing multiple network functions. On premises devices are designed to host multiple workloads and consume power constantly, but are only used for part of the day and part of the week. Cloud infrastructure is shared by millions of customers, often all over the world. As a result, cloud providers are able to achieve economies of scale that result in less downtime, less waste, and lower emissions. Furthermore, the Analysys Mason study found that there are additional gains due to the high Power Usage Effectiveness of cloud data centres, and differences in the carbon intensity of generation in the local electricity grid. ​“Happy Cog is a full-service digital agency that designs, builds, and markets experiences that engage our clients and their audiences. We’ve relied on Cloudflare for many of those websites and apps because it's secure, reliable, fast, and affordable – but also aligns with many of our clients’ sustainability roadmaps and goals,” said Matt Weinberg, Co-Founder and President of Technology at Happy Cog. “Switching our clients from their previous on premises or other constant-usage infrastructure to Cloudflare's network and services has let them be greener, more efficient, and more cost effective. It's ideal when you can offer your clients a solution that covers all their needs and provides a delightful experience now, without having to compromise on their longer term priorities.” About Cloudflare Cloudflare, Inc. (www.cloudflare.com / @cloudflare) is on a mission to help build a better Internet. Cloudflare’s suite of products protect and accelerate any Internet application online without adding hardware, installing software, or changing a line of code. Internet properties powered by Cloudflare have all web traffic routed through its intelligent global network, which gets smarter with every request. As a result, they see significant improvement in performance and a decrease in spam and other attacks. Cloudflare was awarded by Reuters Events for Global Responsible Business in 2020, named to Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in 2021, and ranked among Newsweek's Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces in 2022.

Read More

Hyper-Converged Infrastructure, Data Storage

Pure Storage Advances Chungbuk Technopark's AI Development Platform to Help Local Businesses Innovate and Grow Successfully

prnewswire | August 18, 2023

Pure Storage, the IT pioneer that delivers the world's most advanced data storage technology and services, today announced that Chungbuk Technopark, a regional innovation hub in Chungcheongbuk-do Province, has leveraged FlashBlade®, its unified fast file and object storage platform, to enhance the AI development environment it provides to local businesses by boosting storage data processing performance and significantly improving GPU usage. Customer Challenge: Chungbuk Technopark is an innovation hub that supports growth and economic development in the Chungcheongbuk-do province ofSouth Korea, including a development environment for deep learning and machine learning that helps local companies develop AI products. To support AI initiatives, the company needed storage with AI-optimized performance, simple management, and that was easily upgradeable. Customer Impact: Chungbuk Technopark built its AI environment around the NVIDIA DGX A100 system. After comparing flash storage solutions, it selected Pure Storage FlashBlade for a seamless integration with its DGX systems, maximizing the efficiency and management of data used to develop and train AI technologies. Benefits that Pure Storage delivers to Chungbuk Technopark include: Advanced AI development infrastructure:Chungbuk Technopark increased data processing performance twofold, improved the GPU server's data read speed, and expanded GPU usage from 30% to 80%—an increase of about 2.6x. It also enhanced performance, scalability, and data availability for the AI development environment, while also achieving a tenfold increase in reliability. Zero downtime to meet a growing workload:FlashBlade allows Chungbuk Technopark to increase performance and capacity without any downtime or data migrations. This means more reliable service for companies that rely on the AI platform. Simple, efficient storage management:With Pure's AI-powered full-stack storage management and monitoring software, Pure1®, Chungbuk Technopark's staff spends much less time and cost managing storage capacity and performance. Pure Storage supports Chungbuk Technopark's efforts to help local companies innovate AI-enabled services and products. A promising beauty-tech startup, for example, uses the AI platform to analyze skin and scalp conditions and market customized beauty products. A fast-growing local startup successfully developed AI technology to analyze the movement of wild boars. This helps livestock farmers prevent African Swine Fever (ASF), a development that earned the company the 'H1 2022 Best Patent Award of Korea' by The Hankook Ilbo. Executive Insight: "With the introduction of Pure StorageFlashBlade, we have trained our AI models faster with 2x faster data read speeds. FlashBlade has paved the way for us to build a better AI development environment, enabling many companies in the region to achieve significant business results."-- Cheol-hong Kim, Digital Strategy, Team Leader, Chungbuk Technopark "The advancement of the AI development environment ofChungbuk Technopark has helped many local businesses maximize the potential of AI and data and accelerate innovation. We will continue to collaborate with companies and institutions in Korea by providing modern all-flash storage infrastructure to efficiently meet the exploding data demands of the AI era."--Jaesung Yoo, Managing Director, Pure Storage Korea About Pure Storage Pure Storage uncomplicates data storage, forever. Pure delivers a cloud experience that empowers every organization to get the most from their data while reducing the complexity and expense of managing the infrastructure behind it. Pure's commitment to providing true storage as-a-service gives customers the agility to meet changing data needs at speed and scale, whether they are deploying traditional workloads, modern applications, containers, or more. Pure believes it can make a significant impact in reducing data center emissions worldwide through its environmental sustainability efforts, including designing products and solutions that enable customers to reduce their carbon and energy footprint. And with the highest Net Promoter Score in the industry, Pure's ever-expanding list of customers are among the happiest in the world.

Read More

Application Storage, Windows Server OS

Accelevation Holdings, LLC Acquires Instor Solutions Ltd - Forming the USA's Largest, Integrated Data Center Services Solutions Provider

prnewswire | August 02, 2023

Accelevation Holdings, LLC, a vertically integrated group of manufacturing companies serving the data center, electric vehicle, and robotic markets, has acquired Instor Solutions Ltd, a comprehensive, mission-critical solutions provider, for an undisclosed sum. Through the acquisition, Accelevation will integrate Instor's data center white space installation and project management expertise with its data center containment and caging solutions business, Conatech, to form the Accelevation Data Center Business Unit. The acquisition has established a new, vertically integrated data center business unit comprising both brands to create a single, customer-facing entity and forming the USA's largest integrated data center services solutions provider. Together, the Accelevation Data Center Business Unit will solve key challenges for hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise customers, including faster product design, manufacturing, and supply chain capabilities, with dedicated white space integration, services, and project management expertise. By combining both leading brands, Accelevation has created the only organization within the U.S. market capable of providing fully integrated, data center infrastructure product manufacturing, with self-performing, fit-up solutions design, and project delivery. The companies comprehensive services offering will propel hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data center operators to benefit from industry-leading speed and efficiency – offering enhanced value throughout the entire life cycle and delivering world-class data center environments at accelerated pace and scale. Through its integrated sales, manufacturing, and operations teams, for example, Conatech's customers now have immediate access to the data center white space design, build, and integration services that Instor has built its world-leading reputation on. In turn, Instor has secured unparalleled access to the vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities used by Accelevation to produce its Conatech data center products. "By combining Instor's white space design and services expertise with Conatech's manufacturing and product capabilities, the Accelevation Data Center Business Unit is uniquely positioned to serve and support the data center market as it fulfils its growth potential," said Sam Prudhomme, President, Data Center Business Unit, Accelevation Holdings. "Our customers recognize that together, we're better - empowering them to grow at unprecedented speed and scale, and at the pace the market demands. Importantly, our shared values and methodological approach will ensure we continue to treat our customers the way they want to be treated, setting a new standard for integrated data center solutions and services, globally." Accelevation President and CEO, Michael Rubiera, said, "We are thrilled to welcome Instor to the Accelevation portfolio of innovative companies. Combining Instor's 40+ sales and project management professionals to our Accelevation portfolio creates one of the most comprehensive and all-encompassing solution providers of data center products and installations in the world. We couldn't be more excited about the possibilities and growth this acquisition provides." About Accelevation, LLC Accelevation is a vertically integrated group of manufacturing companies serving the data center, electric vehicle and robotic markets. The organization's mission is to build businesses and work cultures that positively impact employees, their families, their community and their customers. At its core, Accelevation understands that it is their responsibility to plot a course for a more mindful way of doing business.

Read More

Spotlight

The incredible thing about urban life is the convenience it offers. As the world goes digital, it is innovation that makes lives easier and better. And KONE Corporations aspires to take this innovation to the next level. The company is on a quest to reimagine urban life and discover new business opportunities on the way. They de

Resources