This prototype represents Telefónica's vision for the future telecommunications ecosystem, enabling the sustainable deployment of future 5G networks, fiber optic networks using XGS-PON technology, and customer premises equipment. This strategy also incorporates a multi-access edge computing vision within the framework of its global UNICA network virtualization program.
The prototype is based on the disaggregation of network equipment hardware and software, the use of general-purpose servers, and the opening of interfaces. This provides complete flexibility in selecting network components, facilitating supply and innovation alternatives, which in turn enables more efficient future 5G deployments. Opening the radio access node makes it possible to carry out both traditional (distributed) and cloud (centralized) deployments with the same equipment and to incorporate technological improvements simply by updating the radio node software.
Regarding the fixed access network, this opening allows us to offer new functionalities to the customer. For example, they will be able to self-provision their fiber access and self-manage network capacity according to their bandwidth requirements at any given time. Furthermore, this represents a significant step forward in the context of fixed-mobile convergence, as it allows for the joint control and management of access networks and enables the seamless integration of edge computing technology into the infrastructure.
Open Access also reaches the customer's home with a new router, the first to integrate wifi 6, which improves coverage and reaches speeds of 10 Gbps.
Juan Carlos García, Director of Technology and Network Architecture at Telefónica, stated: “Our Open Access Project represents a revolutionary step forward in the context of open, software-based solutions, opening up new network deployment alternatives and new business opportunities. I am confident that it will help us meet the challenge of implementing denser networks and supporting increasingly specific, efficient solutions. Operators and manufacturers are collaborating to make this possible.”.
This new open and distributed network architecture not only improves the performance of existing services but also enables the introduction of new ones and applications that will benefit from edge computing. Compared to traditional cloud-based or traditional server-based storage and computing systems, edge computing offers the best of both worlds, allowing these capabilities to be implemented at the network edge—that is, in the network segments closest to the devices that generate the data, such as a telephone exchange.
Key to the development of the Internet of Things, Edge Computing provides real-time bandwidth and low latency of between 3-5 milliseconds that many services and applications will require, such as 8K video, virtual and augmented reality, streaming video games, touch internet, robotics, or autonomous vehicles.
The deployment of Edge Computing, along with open access and network virtualization, will allow Telefónica to offer new experiences to its customers by providing the ability to schedule connectivity and manage specific devices, services, sites, or connectivity needs across different sectors in a differentiated manner. At the same time, it will generate significant internal efficiencies, both in the provision of certain current communications services and in terms of network costs and traffic management.
