The Importance of Core Network Transformation
The telecom industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with a focus on openness, disaggregation, and cloud-native architectures. At Mobile World Congress, Dell Technologies showcased its vision for a comprehensive telecom transformation program, designed to help communications service providers (CSPs) modernize their networks without locking into a specific vendor or architectural approach. This initiative aims to provide a full range of advisory, implementation, support, adoption, and managed services to facilitate a smooth transition to a cloud-native, horizontal cloud architecture. The core network is a natural starting point for this transformation journey, and Dell’s Telecom Infrastructure Blocks offer a fast path to deploying cloud-native 5G core, OSS/BSS, and AI workloads. These validated systems are designed to ensure a seamless and scalable deployment of critical workloads, leveraging Dell’s Infrastructure Automation Suite. Key Highlights of Dell’s Telecom Transformation Program:
* Advisory and implementation services to support CSPs in their transformation journey
* Infrastructure Automation Suite for automated lifecycle management
* Container-as-a-service (CaaS) layer of the operator’s choice
* Ruggedized server design for telecom environments
Dell’s Telecom Infrastructure Portfolio
Dell’s telecom infrastructure portfolio is centered around the Dell PowerEdge XR8000, a short-depth, high-density, multi-node, and ruggedized server designed specifically for telecom environments. Its front-facing I/O and modular design make it ideal for deployment anywhere from the far edge to the distributed core. The XR8000’s modularity and scalability enable it to support a wide range of workloads, including AI/ML-powered analytics and cloud-native 5G cores. Its ability to work horizontally across different domains, from RAN to AI workloads, ensures seamless integration and flexibility.
“Dell does not only provide you the best-in-class infrastructure,” said Soumava Dutta, principal engineer architect at Dell Technologies. “We also layer through our DTIB offering the CaaS layer of your choice. Everything is glued together with the infrastructure automation suite.”
The Role of Open Telecom Ecosystem Labs (OTELs)
Dell’s Open Telecom Ecosystem Labs (OTELs) play a crucial role in the transformation journey. These labs serve as neutral testing grounds where Dell and its partners validate full-stack solutions for interoperability and performance. This includes workloads from partners like Ciena, a5G networks, 6Wind, Kinetica, Attocore, Napatech, Summa Networks, Bloombase, Edgility, Ubuntu, Red Hat, WindRiver, and SUSE—all of which are certified to run on the XR8000. The OTELs framework ensures that Dell and its partners can work together to develop and validate solutions that meet the needs of CSPs. This collaboration enables a more streamlined and efficient transformation process.
A Holistic Approach to Telecom Transformation
Dell’s ecosystem-first approach is designed to meet CSPs wherever they are on their journey to openness and disaggregation. The company’s full-stack, modular approach empowers CSPs to adopt modern cloud principles without abandoning reliability, service assurance, or performance. With a combination of modular hardware, validated software stacks, automation tools, and end-to-end telecom services, Dell is positioning itself as a trusted partner in simplifying and de-risking telecom transformation. The company’s Cloud Core and related offerings provide the building blocks CSPs need to modernize with confidence.
“We are helping CSPs on their core network, OSS/BSS domain journey, and especially how we can facilitate more risk-free transformation into an open and horizontal telco cloud,” said Tomi Varonen, principal global enterprise architect at Dell Technologies.
| Key Benefits | Detailed Explanation |
|---|---|
| Modular Hardware and Software | Dell’s telecom infrastructure portfolio offers modular hardware and software solutions that enable CSPs to adopt modern cloud principles without abandoning reliability, service assurance, or performance. |
| Validated Software Stacks | The company’s validated software stacks ensure that CSPs can deploy cloud-native workloads with confidence, leveraging Dell’s Infrastructure Automation Suite. |
| Automation Tools | Dell’s automation tools provide CSPs with the ability to automate and manage their infrastructure, ensuring seamless deployment and maintenance. |
| End-to-End Telecom Services | Dell’s end-to-end telecom services provide CSPs with a comprehensive solution that meets their needs for modernizing their networks without sacrificing reliability, service assurance, or performance. |
Dell Technologies: A Partner for Telecom Transformation
The Importance of Collaboration
Collaboration between Dell and its partners is crucial in the telecom transformation journey. Dell’s Open Telecom Ecosystem Labs (OTELs) provide a neutral testing ground for validating full-stack solutions, ensuring that CSPs receive solutions that meet their specific needs.
“The OTELs framework ensures that Dell and its partners can work together to develop and validate solutions that meet the needs of CSPs,” said Soumava Dutta. “This collaboration enables a more streamlined and efficient transformation process.”
A Future-Proof Solution
Dell’s telecom transformation program offers a future-proof solution for CSPs, enabling them to modernize their networks without sacrificing reliability, service assurance, or performance. The company’s modular hardware and software solutions, validated software stacks, automation tools, and end-to-end telecom services ensure that CSPs can adopt modern cloud principles with confidence.
