SK Telecom announced on Thursday that it entered into a partnership with Samsung Electronics Co., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. (HPE), and Intel Corp. to commercialize fifth-generation (5G) network virtualization.
Through collaboration with the leading global companies, the South Korean mobile carrier would participate in the technological development and process establishment of 5G virtual network standards. SK Telecom hopes that the advancement would enable global companies to introduce virtualization processes to the 5G network effortlessly.
The “5G network virtualization” refers to applying network equipment functions in a software form and installed within a general server. The procedure allows companies to bypass the installation of individual hardware for new communication services.
The network virtualization also shortens the time mobile carriers could provide 5G services to clients. By introducing a standard process, companies would not need hardware equipment upgrades to release next-generation services.
To Achieve Global Commercialization
SK Telecom, Samsung, HPE, and Intel would interwork each of their virtualization platform, software, and server equipment to achieve commercialization of the 5G network virtualization.
Intel would impart its next-generation Xeon processors, solid-state drives, and Ethernet network adapters. HPE would offer its ProLiant Server, a virtualization server, to Samsung Electronics.
Meanwhile, SK Telecom would connect Samsung’s 5G virtualization software to commercial networks after verifying compatibility with 5G core networks.
Won-il Noh, Samsung Electronics’ product strategy team head, said that Samsung offers the world’s first 5G commercialization experience. He said that the partnership would enable access to the latest hardware and virtualization software. The collaboration would also create next-generation mobile communication services that would allow 5G customers to enjoy new services faster.
Jong-Ryeol Kang, SKT’s ICT Infra Center head, believes that the four companies’ global collaboration would lay the foundation for commercialization of 5G network virtualization. The company would carry on in creating new technologies and perform a significant role in the future of telecom services. The endeavor would also provide better services to consumers in the future.
