On Monday, Nokia announced the launch of a new localized data center service for mobile networks to enable them to compete with players such as Amazon and Google in offering internet services. The Finnish company will provide network operators access to cloud-based data centers running on an Intel platform, many of whom are struggling to handle the increasing growth in mobile data traffic.
Nokia reforming the concept
According to the Finnish firm, the Nokia AirFrame Datacenter Solution supports 5G, and adheres to the concept of flexible and distributed cloud architecture. Nokia is revolutionizing the centralized data centers concept by enabling mobile operators to develop data center functions throughout their network, thus allowing the customer data to be processed locally and enhancing the speed of network services. Furthermore, these local data centers are linked and backed up by centralized, large data centers.
With the installation of Nokia’s AirFrame datacenter, data processing capacity can be shared by nearby base station cell sites or by a centralized data center when any specific part of the network is jammed with heavy traffic of mobile users.
Different from rivals
Unlike the normal data center, Nokia data centers are just the size of a pizza box, but offer operators immense computing power, and can be installed together with antennas and base station gear that link local areas to wider voice and data networks.
Phil Twist, a Nokia Networks executive, said, “It is entirely practical to put these anywhere that you might put a base station.” Twist added that it can enhance the processing of the network, which means that the mobile users will not have to wait too long to watch a video or download emails.
With the launch of the new data center, Nokia stands in direct competition with big names such as Hewlett&Packard and Cisco. Ericsson, which is a step ahead of these companies, recently ventured into the data center market with products based on Intel’s platform. Elisabeth Rainge from technology market research firm IDC notes that the offering from Nokia is a different approach compared to Ericsson, HP and other players in the industry.
Nokia also noted that it has developed a dedicated R&D facility in Finland for data center technology development. The Finnish company will rank as the second largest network equipment producer once it concludes its takeover of French company Alcatel-Lucent.
