Michael Dell On Regulating AI, The Coming 5G Explosion And Considering Going Public, Or Not

@DellTechnologies Chairman and CEO @MichaelDell is sending a message that his namesake company believes deeply in the power of technology to make the world a better place, but he's also intimately familiar with the cold hard realities of the global IT market and how the industry behemoth fits into it. In a Q&A with global press and analysts during the Dell Technologies World conference Monday in Las Vegas, Dell reinforced his argument that Dell Technologies' position as the largest IT infrastructure player in the world gives it an especially advantageous position in leading-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and 5G. It's been a little more than a year-and-a-half since Dell architected the largest buy-out in the history of the IT industry with the acquisition of data storage giant EMC. Since then, Dell said, the company has exceeded revenue expectations, while steadily paying down debt and continually developing its portfolio. The company in February said it would consider an IPO, or a reverse merger with VMware, which is part of the Dell Technologies family of companies. Dell Monday, though, was not keen to elaborate on those considerations. What follows is an edited excerpt of Dell's Q&A with reporters and analysts.

https://www.crn.com/slide-shows/internet-of-things/300102916/michael-dell-on-regulating-ai-the-coming-5g-explosion-and-considering-going-public-or-not.htm

AT&T Shares Findings From Field Trials as 5G Gets Closer to Reality

DALLAS, April 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- @AT&T* has new updates and key findings from its #5G trials using millimeter wave spectrum in a blog post by Melissa Arnoldi, president, AT&T Technology & Operations. As we march towards initial commercial 5G deployments in a dozen cities by the end of this year, we'll share updates on our AT&T Innovation Blog on the 1st and 15th of each month. *About AT&T AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) helps millions around the globe connect with leading entertainment, business, mobile and high speed internet services. We have the nation's largest and most reliable network** and the best global coverage of any U.S. wireless provider. We're one of the world's largest providers of pay TV. We have TV customers in the U.S. and 11 Latin American countries. More than 3 million companies, from small to large businesses around the globe, turn to AT&T for our highly secure smart solutions. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/att-shares-findings-from-field-trials-as-5g-gets-closer-to-reality-300627243.html

Understanding end-to-end network slicing for 5G

#Networkslicing and #5G Network slicing has received significant attention among telecom operators, especially with the commercialization of 5G networks on the horizon. Based upon the principles of network functions virtualization ( #NFV) and software-defined networking ( #SDN), network slicing is expected to play a major role in 5G architectures. But what exactly is end-to-end network slicing, and how can it help move 5G networks forward? What is network slicing? Network slicing enables operators to partition a single, physical network in various virtual networks, where each slice represents an independent virtualized end-to-end network. It enables operators to meet diverse service requirements for different customers. Telecom operators have become attracted to the technology as a way to provide networks on an as-service basis, allowing them to increase operational efficiency while reducing time-to-market for new services. To crystallize the concept, consider a city transportation system, which typically involves multiple modes of transportation. Rather than provide a single form of transportation, the city allocates infrastructure resources to support railroads, subways and roads. Similarly, network slicing supports different virtual services by allocating resources from a physical network. The role in 5G networks 5G systems are expected to be made for logical network slicing. These networks will combine various services with different performance requirements, from high reliability to low latency, into a physical network infrastructure. Each slice within a 5G network serves as a kind of logically isolated set of resources, which are tailored to meet the needs of different services. For example, a massive industrial IoT slice may demand a light 5G core with several connections, while a mobile broadband slice may require a high-capacity core and low latency. An end-to-end network slicing framework for 5G wireless, which includes slicing 5G radio access network (RAN) and the 5G core network, is needed to deliver a range of service requirements. 5G RAN slicing can be accomplished by logically abstracting physical radio resources, including physical hardware and spectrum. Core network slices can also be built leveraging NFV and SDN. Both types of slices kind be devoted to a particular class of service users or shared among different classes of service users. Benefits of an end-to-end approach An end-to-end approach to network slicing for 5G networks offers various benefits compared to conventional networks. 5G networks can quickly address service requirements with the technology by scaling each slice up or down. The common pool of end-to-end resources shared among network slices enables them to be more manageable. Carriers can also prepare for 5G by using network slice management solutions. Additionally, the logical isolation of networks slices provides greater security

https://www.rcrwireless.com/20180404/understanding-end-to-end-network-slicing-for-5g-tag27-tag99

ONF Operators Take Charge of Edge SDN

Eight leading operator partners of the Open Networking Foundation (ONF) have come together to jump-start the commercialization of SDN technology at the edge of the network, including the last mile, by agreeing on reference designs that show exactly how components from multiple suppliers should be integrated. Of equal importance, the eight operators are pledging their own resources to do this, as well as stressing their determination to buy products built to match these reference designs. If they weren't already concerned, traditional systems vendors hoping that the proprietary technology status quo would last well into the #5G era should be very worried. The eight operators --  @ATT Inc. (NYSE: T), @China Unicom Ltd. (NYSE: CHU), @Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), @Deutsche Telekom AG (NYSE: DT), @Google (Nasdaq: GOOG), @NTT Group (NYSE: NTT), @Telefónica and @Turk Telecom -- helped devise this new strategy plan for the #OpenNetworking Foundation , and provide unanimous board approval of it. #ONF believes this group represents enough market firepower and innovation to get the entire industry behaving in a new way, with the goal of getting open source technology into the market, and into communications networks, faster. "I think it is probably one of the first times that network operators have come together and shown resolve, as well as capacity, to invest in a technology beyond writing papers and doing specifications," says Patrick Lopez, vice president of networks innovation for Telefónica, in an interview. What's different is that "all the operators involved have skin in the game -- they are investing not only time and money and network but they actually have teams of people that are developing code, and writing open source code, basically showing what we, a group of major network operators, believe the value chain needs to evolve to. This is a strong signal to the market showing that beyond intent there is actual effort, progress and code being developed to show the way we would like networks to evolve."

https://www.lightreading.com/carrier-sdn/sdn-architectures/onf-operators-take-charge-of-edge-sdn/d/d-id/741709

SDxCentral’s Weekly Roundup — February 23, 2018

Here are the top stories @SDxCentral wrangled this week related to #SDN, #NFV, #5G, #IoT, #containers, #cloud, and more: @AT&T Expands Network-Based #SDWAN to 150 Countries — Companies can mix and match connectivity for different site types while maintaining a single network.

Here are the week’s strays and stragglers we roped for you:  Following Broadcom’s reduced offer, Qualcomm issued a statement calling out its inadequacy. In other Qualcomm news, the company increased its offer to purchase the outstanding shares of NXP Semiconductors. Google pushed its Cloud Internet of Things (IoT) Core to general availability. The ETSI NFV Plugtests demonstrated high interoperability for multi-vendor network services and an increase in feature support across implementations. MYCOM OSI released a cloud native platform for telco cloud assurance. Dell EMC and Mavenir will collaborate to expand the range of solutions for service providers and enterprises on Mavenir’s OpenStack network functions virtualization (NFV) and container platform. Saguna, Vodafone, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Greengrass will demonstrate a multi-access edge computing (MEC) connected-car proof of concept at Mobile World Congress 2018. Radisys created a virtualized radio access network (RAN) accelerator to advance 5G deployment. Qualcomm Technologies introduced its Snapdragon 820E embedded platform and extended its embedded computing portfolio to support IoT applications. It also released its Artificial Intelligence (AI) engine. Oracle launched a new version of its Communications Network Charging and Control for mobile operators. Orange Labs Networks integrated Radisys’ virtualized media resource function in the ONAP Amsterdam release. The combined NEC and Netcracker business and operational support technology went into production at the Canadian telco Telus. ETSI’s multi-access edge computing (MEC) group will release two white papers on 5G, MEC, and cloud RAN and will host hackathons to accelerate MEC. Etisalat, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa-based telco, selected Nokia’s Nuage software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) technology to offer to its enterprise customers. Mobile core network software startup Core Network Dynamics updated its cloud native software to enable to deployment of mobile core networks on both private and public cloud infrastructures. Barefoot Networks, Deep Insight, and Xilinx will demonstrate an end-to-end network performance monitoring solution. Lanner partnered with Telco Systems to supply universal CPE white boxes as turnkey solutions for service providers. Chef released InSpec 2.0, its compliance automation software. Sprint launched a cloud-based security platform, powered by Zscaler. InfoVista released the newest version of its RF planning and optimization software, with support for 5G New Radio (NR). Megaport enabled direct connectivity for customers to the Salesforce platform. Ruckus Networks announced its IoT suite for customers to create secure IoT access networks. Alaska telco provider GCI selected Altiostar’s virtualized radio access network (vRAN) technology to support GCI’s LTE-advanced network deployment in preparation for 5G and IoT. Radcom partnered with Red Hat to provide a virtualized network visibility solution on the Red Hat OpenStack platform. Mavenir and Ensemble, a division of AVDA Optical Networking, partnered to create an end-to-end solution for enterprises to build their own LTE network. Test and validation company Spirent launched two platforms to extend its security and performance assurance capabilities. Red Hat released a decision management platform to simplify the management of rules-based applications and services. Coriant partnered with Affirmed Networks to expands its 5G customer offerings. Software AG launched the ninth version of its open, cloud-based Cumulocity IoT platform. Priority Software released its ERP solutions on Microsoft Azure. PacketFabric will offer private network connectivity from its on-net locations across the U.S. to Microsoft using Azure ExpressRoute. Portnox launched a new feature on its network access control (NAC) platform to streamline authorization processes. Pivot3 expanded its partnerships with Zerto, VMware, and Redington Value to bring new capabilities to its hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI). Network monitoring company EXFO integrated its NFV Service Assurance with the ADVA Ensemble open virtualization suite. Digital technology consulting firm Quisitive launched a Microsoft Azure cloud assessment program. Revenue assurance and fraud management software provider WeDo Technologies hosted an event to identify fraud risks associated with digital transformation. Napatech launched a reconfigurable accelerated RAN for 5G mobile network operators.

https://www.sdxcentral.com/articles/news/sdxcentrals-weekly-roundup-february-23-2018/2018/02/

Intel partners with Dell, Lenovo, and HP to build 5G-ready PCs

Collaborations with @HP, @Lenovo, @Dell, and @Microsoft, will bring the @Intel XMM 8000 line of #5G multimode modems to consumers and businesses alike. While some wireless carriers are rolling out early stages of 5G networks later this year, Intel's goal is to have these new devices ready for the holiday season in 2019. Intel also expects to show off its PC modems that support eSIM technology at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. It will be interesting to see how the competition between Intel and Qualcomm will push forward the new Always Connected PC category. 11ax, the next big thing in Wi-Fi. On Intel's end, the goal is to enable super fast downloads on the move, high-quality video streaming and even better multiplayer gaming while out and about with seamless connections for users that travel between WiFi and cellular networks. 5G is not just another generation of wireless connectivity, it promises new opportunities for technology innovation across the computing and connectivity landscape from the cloud to the network and the client. The Xeon D-2100 extends the industry-leading capabilities of the Intel Xeon Scalable platform with power-efficient performance to meet the intensive compute, network and storage workloads demanded by 5G at the network edge. Intel will also show off 802.11ax on a thin PC at its booth at MWC. eSIM functionality, which is present in all its modems for PCs, will also be demonstrated. Considering the expected arrival date of Intel's 5G modems, however, that future remains a ways off. Intel made 5G data available to devices in PyeongChang, providing live, field-tested service at various sites in and around the Olympic Village that ran at gigabit speeds. This builds on our announcement last month with Deutsche Telecom and Huawei that we conducted the world's first successful test showcasing 5G interoperability and development testing (IODT) based on the Release 15 NSA 5G NR specification. Intel is fighting @Qualcomm and @Samsung in this market so this partnership is pretty important for them. The future of 5G is almost upon us.

http://dailydemocratpress.com/2018/02/23/intel-partners-with-dell-lenovo-and-hp-to-build-5g-ready-pcs/

Huawei to invest $800 million in R&D for 5G in 2018

In 2018, @Huawei will invest CNY5 billion ($800 million) in R&D for 5G, and launch a full range of commercial 5G equipment, including wireless access networks, bearer networks, core networks, and devices.  In addition, Huawei aims to increase the number of #NBIoT connections to over 100 million around the world. The technology giant will launch over 20 new products and showcase the results of its cooperation with over 300 partners at the upcoming MWC 2018.   Huawei recently held a pre-MWC 2018 briefing in London, during which the company called on all industries to work together and go beyond traditional boundaries in the areas of capabilities, connections, business, experience, and partnerships for a fully-connected, intelligent world.  The vendor forecast that by 2025, 180 ZB of data will be generated around the world every year, a 20-fold increase compared with today. "Such new data will become a huge 'data oilfield', serving as an inexhaustible source of intelligence and value."  Ryan Ding, executive director of the Board and President of Huawei Carrier BG, said: "Before entering the intelligent world, we are still faced with many challenges. To achieve sustainable business growth, we need to keep moving beyond existing constraints and boundaries, first internally and then externally." The briefing further focused on how carriers should innovate across areas like IoT, video, and cloud strategy to generate new sources of revenues. In 2017, over 100 carriers around the world made video their basic service, with this number expected to increase to 150 in 2018. During the MWC, under the theme of "ROADS to a Better Future", Huawei will showcase its latest products and solutions and, together with partners, provide demonstrations in multiple scenarios.

http://www.itp.net/mobile/616519-huawei-to-invest-$800-million-in-r&d-for-5g-in-2018

CES Preview: Ericsson CTO Talks Fixed Wireless and the Evolution to Mobile 5G

Like a jeweler showcasing its diamond, representatives for the Swedish telecommunications company said #Ericsson is planning a massive display to highlight the many facets of 5G. In particular, Ericsson said it will focus on different use cases across a variety of industries and the new capabilities 5G will enable, honing in on six key areas including broadband, man-machine interfaces like virtual and augmented reality, critical services, sensor networks, machine-type communications, and remote devices. But while Ericsson’s CES display will look toward the future, Wireless Week reached out to CTO Glenn Laxdal ahead of the show to get his thoughts on where 5G technology stands today and how exactly it will progress to that hyper mobile vision of the future. Back in December, #Verizon told Wireless Week that it was working closely with Ericsson and a handful of other vendors on pre-commercial fixed wireless 5G trials slated to kick off this month. Though many people like to think of 5G as a mostly mobile technology, Laxdal explained there are a couple of reasons Ericsson’s clients – including companies like Verizon – are focusing on fixed wireless as the initial use case. It’s well known that the 3GPP standards for mobile 5G won’t be released for some time yet, but Laxdal said fixed wireless is possible because participants in the standards process can already see what the building blocks of 5G will be. Thus, he said, Ericsson can construct a solution around those foundations and start to deliver some components in a 2017 timeframe. Fixed wireless is a great vehicle to test those components because of the element of control it offers, Laxdal noted. “I think the lead use case is going to be fixed wireless access because that’s a very contained use case,” Laxdal said. “We can control the devices that are being used for fixed wireless access as well as the network and co-develop those together.” Additionally, Laxdal said the software Ericsson is developing for these early 5G components will be “completely upgradable” to the standards-based 5G system that will fully defined in the mid-2018 timeframe. Laxdal said the evolution of 5G devices will likely unfold in a manner similar to the roll out of 4G technology. That is, Laxdal said with 5G we will see fixed wireless devices becoming available first since they don’t have to handle all the capabilities required by mobile broadband. Those devices, he said, will be followed by the roll out of hotspot devices (which would perhaps be the first fully standards-compliant devices) in a late 2018 timeframe and eventually smartphones with 5G capabilities in the early 2019 timeframe. Once all of those pieces fall into line and the ecosystem includes a variety of devices that are able to “talk” 5G, Laxdal said the world will see a much broader deployment of the technology across the market. This, he said, will likely come in a 2019 or 2020 timeframe. “When you’re out in the 2021, 2022 timeframe, now you’ve got a fully standards-based 5G system and you’re starting to ramp smartphones,” Laxdal said. “That’s when we really see the significant volume of subscribers starting to take advantage of 5G.” According to the latest Ericsson Mobility report, the volume of 5G subscribers is expected to reach 150 million in 2021 before jumping to more than half a billion in 2022.

https://www.wirelessweek.com/article/2017/01/ces-preview-ericsson-cto-talks-fixed-wireless-and-evolution-mobile-5g

Fronthaul and backhaul: Look out, a fusion is coming!

Backhaul and fronthaul have come a long way through the generations. When I started out, #fronthaul was literally the length of industrial coax cable that you could easily observe running from the bottom of a cell phone tower to the top. Backhaul was always where the excitement was—in all the signal processing smarts surrounding transcoding. This technology existed to condense almighty 64k bit/sec. pipes down to a 16k bit/sec. ones and vice versa. Today, the story has moved on and converged quite a bit, but the uncoordinated shaping of these spaces in those early days has resulted in two worlds or two heterogeneous technology silos, one each for fronthaul and backhaul. This is not going to fly in 5G, and a fusion is coming that will bring these two worlds together.

5G: Enterprise Disruption On The Horizon

In today’s turbulent digital world, the last thing CIOs and other executives need is further disruption. Well, hold onto your hats, because #5Gnetworking is around the corner. Now that 4G is well-established, 5G is the next generation in development. 5G promises much greater speed and lower latency than 4G, but the conventional wisdom is that it will arrive in 2020 or later, and thus shouldn’t have much impact on IT roadmaps in 2016.

Think again. Production trials are slated to begin as early as the 2018 Winter Olympics in Seoul, putting this technology well within the typical three-year technology refresh cycle – reason enough to include 5G in today’s IT plan.

But more importantly, 5G promises greater disruption well beyond faster speeds – and market disruption is more about placing the right bets than straightforward planning. Regardless of your industry, it’s time to get up to speed on 5G.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbloomberg/2016/07/04/5g-enterprise-disruption-on-the-horizon/#4384f1cc75f3

Verizon wants to be the one to develop the global 5G standard

@Verizon has signed a partnership deal with Korean carrier @KT to explore the core technologies required to establish a global standard for #5G . KT’s chairman, Hwang Chang-gyu traveled to Big Red’s headquarters in New Jersey to ink the deal with #Verizon’s chairman @LowellMcAdam on Friday, but the deal has only been announced today. #Verizon

If you know anything about 5G, you’d know that 5G doesn’t really mean anything right now. It is simply the “thing that comes after 4G” but no official standard has yet been proposed. Manufacturers and carriers from here, there and everywhere are constantly sharing their “5G” speed tests with us, but when something has no definition it’s a little too easy to plant a flag and declare yourself a contender.

Tackling this problem head-on is what KT and Verizon plan to do together. As KT’s chairman said in a statement, a “global partnership for the 5G standardization is very crucial ahead of its planned commercialization in 2020, as a single firm or country alone cannot achieve the goal”.

http://www.androidauthority.com/verizon-kt-global-5g-standard-700259/