Intel reveals network platform and software for 5G wireless

Intel has unveiled Intel Network Platform along with new additions to its product portfolio for 5G and edge at the Mobile World Congress 2021.

The Intel Network Platform is a technology foundation that can reduce development complexity, accelerate time to market and help ensure customers and partners can take advantage of the features in Intel hardware, from core to access to edge.

It includes system-level reference architectures, drivers and software building blocks enabling rapid development and delivery of Intel-powered network solutions. The solution offers an easier and faster path to develop and optimise network software.

Maximising the edge and digital transformation

Intel Corporate Vice President, Network Platforms Group, Dan Rodriguez, said network transformation is critical to unleash the possibilities of 5G and to maximise the rise of edge to create new and better business outcomes for customers; as well as to power society’s digital transformation.

The company also confirmed its leadership in the virtual radio access network (vRAN), noting nearly all commercial vRAN deployments are running on Intel technology.

With Intel's expansive portfolio delivering feature-rich silicon and optimised software solutions, the company can tap into an estimated $65 billion edge silicon opportunity by 2025, the company added.

Intel technology is already deployed in more than 35,000 end customer edge implementations.

The Intel Smart Edge consists of two software offerings for the multi-access edge computing layer. It will now have a unified architecture and codebase to help customers onboard and manage edge applications and network functions, whether buying a commercial solution, or building one themselves.

It is a commercial software focused on enterprise on-premise use cases, such as private networks and universal Customer Premise equipment.

Expanding offerings

Additionally, the Intel Agilex FPGA family is expanding, with a new FPGA with integrated cryptography acceleration supporting MACSec in 5G applications and adding another layer of security to vRAN at the front haul, mid haul and back-haul levels, the company said.