American telecommunications giant Verizon has entered into a strategic collaboration with Nvidia, unveiling a robust solution that facilitates the operation of artificial intelligence (AI) applications over Verizon’s private 5G network using Mobile Edge Compute (MEC). This innovative solution integrates Verizon’s cutting-edge 5G infrastructure with Nvidia’s AI Enterprise software platform, enabling real-time AI services for enterprises across a wide array of applications, including generative AI, computer vision, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The announcement was made on Tuesday, December 17, when both companies issued a joint statement affirming their commitment to delivering a plug-and-play AI-powered private 5G platform. This infrastructure is designed to empower third-party developers to innovate swiftly while also being adaptable to future advancements in AI computing and various connectivity needs. The solution aims to support scalability, allowing businesses to tailor it to their specific requirements, ranging from generative AI applications to autonomous vehicle systems.
“The new AI-powered private 5G platform stack is a Verizon and Nvidia developed infrastructure designed to be plug and play, helping third-party developers to innovate with speed,” the joint statement mentioned, highlighting its modular design and its capacity to handle various AI and connectivity applications. The expected demonstration of this stack is slated for early February 2025.
The implementation of local AI processing at the edge allows for rapid decision-making, significantly reducing the necessity to transfer copious amounts of data over the internet. According to Verizon, this AI-powered platform can be deployed either remotely – via portable private network solutions – or on-site with a permanent private network setup tailored to the enterprise's needs.
Srini Kalapala, Verizon's Senior Vice President of Technology and Product Development, emphasised, “Generative AI, with its predictive capabilities, is poised to be a critical component of digital transformation and future business growth in almost all industries.” He further elaborated on Verizon's unique positioning due to its network capabilities and ongoing investments, stating that this collaboration with Nvidia is designed to bring forth powerful AI services at scale, fuelling digital transformation across various sectors.
Echoing the sentiments of his counterpart, Ronnie Vasishta, Senior Vice President of Telecom at Nvidia, noted the urgency for enterprises to integrate AI solutions that maximize effectiveness. He remarked, "Verizon's integration of Nvidia's full-stack AI platform into its new solution for running AI workloads on private 5G networks is a big step forward in helping enterprises of all sizes reach their business objectives faster with AI.”
In related developments, GlobalLogic has announced a partnership with Nokia aimed at accelerating the implementation of advanced 5G and 4G enterprise solutions. The partnership will leverage Nokia's Network as Code platform alongside a developer portal, focusing initially on automotive, industrial, and financial sectors. Through this collaboration, GlobalLogic will create transformative use cases intended to yield measurable business benefits.
The Network as Code platform will enable GlobalLogic’s developers to harness advanced network capabilities, fostering the rapid development of network-aware applications across varied network architectures. The initial focus will be on enhancing operational efficiency, fraud management, and customer experience to unlock new revenue streams.
Ashay Punekar, Vice President of the Communications & Network Providers Business Unit at GlobalLogic, described the platform as a unifying ecosystem that bridges telco networks, systems integrators, and developers globally. He indicated that this partnership would not only speed up 5G innovation but also redefine the interaction of enterprises with network technologies, assisting communication service providers in monetising their 5G investments.
Nokia's representatives also expressed confidence in the collaboration. Shkumbin Hamiti, Head of Network Monetisation Platform at Nokia, mentioned that GlobalLogic stands to gain significant advantages from the flexibility and automation provided by the Network as Code platform, thus enabling seamless integration and enhanced connectivity for its business model.
As both Verizon and GlobalLogic navigate the evolving landscape of AI and 5G technology, the economic implications of these advancements are substantial. According to a study by PwC, 75 percent of business executives consider AI a competitive advantage, while a McKinsey survey indicates that 50 percent of companies have adopted AI in at least one function, with a further 71 percent planning on expanding their usage. Concurrently, projections estimate that 5G could contribute approximately USD 12 trillion to the global economy by 2035, underscoring the need for robust networks capable of supporting burgeoning AI workloads in various industries.
Source: Noah Wire Services