All done with NEC’s 5GC software running on AWS Graviton2
Japan’s mobile operator NTT DoCoMo and NEC Corporation (NEC) have found they can use 72% less power than incumbent x86 processors by using NEC’s 5GC software running on AWS Graviton2. They have just released results of trial which tested performance within a 5GC hybrid cloud environment using AWS Graviton2 and DOCOMO’s on-premises Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) infrastructure.
AWS Graviton2 processors deliver a major leap in performance and help reduce the carbon footprint of IT workloads through energy efficiency, said an NEC statement. Traditionally, many telco workloads need to reside on edge infrastructure, which have power and property location constraints.
Following the completion of this first phase, the companies will now conduct a second phase trial to test the 5GC network function on AWS Outposts equipped with Graviton2 processors on DoCoMo’s premises. “We are delighted,” said NTT DOCOMO CTO Naoki Tani, who is also head of the R&D and Innovation Division. “We will continue the collaboration on the PoC with NEC and AWS for future delivery of environmentally friendly and disaster-resilient 5G network service to our customers.”
The ‘significant power reduction’ could make Europe’s mobile networks ‘sustainable’ during the coming power crisis, according to Atsuo Kawamura, NEC’s executive vice president, “our aim is to build a low-power mobile infrastructure.” The General Manager for the Telecom Industry Business Unit at AWS, Adolfo Hernandez, said AWS was thrilled to see the power savings Graviton2 delivers in telecommunications. “We look forward to [doing more].”