Nokia Siemens Networks and Intel get edgy on intelligence

Memorandum of Understanding underlines joint approach to push edge processing and intelligence in the network to support Liquid Apps vision.

Nokia Siemens Networks and Intel have put their names to an MoU on a set of common objectives around the development of NSN’s Liquid Applications. They have also confirmed that NSN’s Radio Applications Cloud Server uses Intel’s Cloud Forest platform.

Liquid Applications is NSN’s name for the delivery of applications and content directly from the base station. In NSN’s case, this vision is built upon its Radio Applications Cloud Server (RACS) – a server placed at or alongside the base station to carry out local processing and delivery of apps. RACS integrates Intel’s Crystal Forest, its platform developed for the communications infrastructure market powered by Xeon processors.

TMN noted at the time that Liquid Applications was a good fit for Intel’s ambitions in the service provider communications space. This collaboration is confirmation of that alignment, and says the two companies will work together to “explore new business models” for operators and partners.

As TMN also noted at the time of the Liquid Apps announcement, leading operators through this process is likely to be critical. Identifying apps that would benefit from that local element will be one aspect, as will determining how all parties benefit.

A joint statement from NSN and Intel said:
“Nokia Siemens Networks and Intel will collaborate in the creation of a mobile edge computing ecosystem, focusing on over-the-top (OTT) content providers, independent software vendors (ISV) and application service providers (ASP). The parties will also explore new business models between mobile operators and other ecosystem players, facilitating engagements with the purpose of delivering a superior and profitable customer experience.”

“Nokia Siemens Networks and Intel are working closely together to merge key IT advancements and telecommunication applications in a way that yields a state-of-the-art mobile edge computing solution. The RACS includes Intel architecture that is widely used by application service providers and enterprise cloud implementations globally,” said Steve Price, general manager of Intel’s Communications Infrastructure Division. “Operators can now extend the applications and services cloud all the way out to the base station and thus offer an enhanced and unmatched mobile broadband experience.”