The 5G-enabled edge compute leverages Telstra’s 5G network, fixed connectivity, Ericsson’s Service Orchestration Cradlepoint, and Microsoft Azure Stack Edge for Edge compute, and SD-WAN
Telstra store in Chadstone Shopping Centre, Melbourne. (Credit: Wpcpey/Wikipedia.org)
Australian telecommunications firm Telstra has commenced customer trials of its 5G-enabled edge compute solution for enterprises, in partnership with Ericsson and Microsoft, with an aim to provide the framework for future business innovation.
The 5G software-defined wide area networking (SDWAN) enabled Edge solution is said to leverage a combination of technologies, which are enabled by both automation and service orchestration.
The solution uses Telstra’s advanced 5G network, fixed connectivity, and Service Orchestration Cradlepoint, a 5G connectivity device from Ericsson. Besides, it employs Microsoft Azure Stack Edge for Edge compute and SD-WAN.
Focused on extending private connectivity and cloud services to the customer and network edge, the 5G SDWAN enabled Edge solutions are said to bring compute, network, storage, and marketplace services closer to customers.
Telstra network and IT group executive Nikos Katinakis said: “Our global collaboration now extends to our enterprise customers, and we are applying a real focus on the use of these advanced technologies to solve customer and industry operational problems.
“These ground-breaking results are being achieved as we develop a combined, automated solution framework for the future.
“We are making our network smarter, more resilient and automated, while leveraging the benefits and scale of new and advanced 5G network and cloud architectures.”
Telstra is co-developing the enterprise application solutions with early adopters such as FKG Group, and is testing their resiliency and scaling solution for accommodating various enterprise footprints.
FKG Group innovation and growth head Grant Statton said that the collaboration enables the company to use artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and augmented reality (AR) applications for unlocking data-driven insights and transparency across its operation.
Telstra is studying the new 5G-enabled edge compute service in its Telstra Retail store environment by introducing a smart video solution to enhance the customer experience as well as to simplify operations.
The edge compute solution will be offered as a managed service by Telstra through its technology services business, Telstra Purple.
Ericsson digital services global head Jan Karlsson said: “Ericsson has a proud history of delivering innovation to offer businesses a whole new world of opportunities through enhanced connectivity.
“In this latest Australian-first milestone, Ericsson technology provides Telstra’s 5G network with greater resiliency, optionality, and adaptability.
“With a simple design, scalable delivery, and modular approach, Telstra can offer a wider range of services to meet the growing needs of their customers as 5G use-cases continue to emerge.”