Telefónica has reached a significant milestone in its journey towards the cloudification of the 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) by successfully completing Europe’s first 5G Standalone (SA) call using both on-premises and public cloud architecture. This achievement was made possible through a strategic collaboration with Nokia and Amazon Web Services (AWS), who provided the technologies and infrastructure necessary to carry out this pioneering feat. Key figures from Telefónica, Nokia, and AWS have emphasized the importance of this development for the future of network flexibility and programmability, setting a new standard in the telecommunications industry.
Significant Developments in 5G RAN Cloudification
Combining Cloud Services with Nokia’s 5G Capabilities
Telefónica’s latest breakthrough with the successful 5G SA call on cloud-based infrastructure highlights the substantial benefits of integrating AWS’s extensive cloud services with Nokia’s advanced 5G capabilities. The combination promises enhanced operational efficiencies, such as improved network assurance and reduced operational complexity. Through this integration, Telefónica leverages Nokia’s Distributed Unit (DU) software, running on Amazon EC2 instances powered by AWS Graviton, to enable a stable and effective on-premises deployment framework.
This solution also extends to the use of AWS’s outpost servers, allowing for the seamless incorporation of on-premises computing resources. Furthermore, the Centralized Unit (CU) operated on an Amazon EC2 instance within the AWS Spain Region, epitomizing a cloud architecture that spans expansive geographical distances, covering hundreds of kilometers. The collaborative venture has proven that this setup can address multiple latency and bandwidth requirements within 5G networks, showcasing scalability and robustness.
Telefónica’s strategy centers on validating AWS Outposts servers for on-premises installations, ensuring maximum efficiency through unified CI/CD pipelines. The integration of Amazon’s Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) permits a flexible, dynamic network management system highlighted by AWS and Nokia’s observability and management solutions, ultimately simplifying network configuration and streamlining lifecycle maintenance. These innovative approaches help minimize integration costs while significantly accelerating the deployment of essential features across various network domains.
Achieving Operational Efficiency with Edge Computing
One of the most remarkable achievements of this initiative is how it demonstrates that hybrid cloud architecture can proficiently support low-latency, high-bandwidth real-time RAN workloads using AWS cloud services. Telefónica benefits from the provision of robust security measures, resilient infrastructure, uniform APIs, and comprehensive observability, fostering an enhanced user experience even at the network’s edge. The flexibility offered by AWS’s services and APIs ensures that workload placement can be optimized to meet specific latency conditions, thereby bolstering overall network performance.
Given the surge in demand for better mobile network experiences, especially with the increasing penetration of IoT and edge devices, the ability to integrate on-premises infrastructure seamlessly with public cloud services emerges as an indispensable capability. Telefónica’s deployment of a hybrid network model addresses the respective latency and performance concerns. This not only improves the response rate for end-users but also aligns with the company’s broader push for achieving greater network programmability and flexibility—elements crucial for tapping into new business models and innovative use cases. The integration further enables telecommunications operators to deliver consistent, high-quality service while maintaining operational efficiency.
Key Figures and Strategic Insights
Perspectives from Industry Leadership
José Luis Esplá, the Director of Access & Devices at Telefónica, has been vocal about the potential of RAN cloudification, describing it as the “final frontier” in the telecom industry’s transformation. Esplá underscored the paramount importance of their collaboration with AWS and Nokia in redefining network flexibility and scalability. This initiative highlights their joint efforts in pushing the boundaries for next-generation telecommunications, illustrating a new paradigm where cloud and RAN synergize to deliver unmatched reliability and performance.
Joining Esplá in affirming the significance of this milestone, Amir Rao, the Director for Telco 5G at AWS, elaborated on AWS’s capabilities in catering to the demanding requirements of 5G RAN workloads. He emphasized AWS’s role in supporting these essential demands, which include sophisticated data processing and reduced latency, crucial elements for the successful deployment of 5G technologies.
Aji Ed, Head of Cloud RAN at Nokia, also lauded Telefónica’s endeavors, highlighting Nokia’s leadership in incorporating artificial intelligence and cloud technology into the RAN domain. Ed pointed out that the fusion of these technologies fosters innovation and opens up opportunities for new commercial models, ultimately benefiting telecom operators by offering more innovative solutions and facilitating rapid adjustments in network operations based on real-time insights derived from AI-driven analytics.
Future Considerations and Steps Forward
Telefónica has marked a significant milestone in its progression towards the cloudification of the 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) by completing Europe’s first 5G Standalone (SA) call utilizing both on-premises and public cloud architecture. This groundbreaking achievement was made possible through a strategic collaboration with Nokia and Amazon Web Services (AWS), who supplied the necessary technologies and infrastructure to accomplish this pioneering effort. Key representatives from Telefónica, Nokia, and AWS have highlighted the critical importance of this development for enhancing the future of network flexibility and programmability, setting a new benchmark in the telecommunications sector. This successful call demonstrates the potential of cloud-based solutions to revolutionize the industry, offering greater adaptability, scalability, and innovation. As 5G technology continues to evolve, this accomplishment positions Telefónica, Nokia, and AWS at the forefront of driving advancements that will impact numerous industries and enhance connectivity across the globe.