Title
AWS re:Invent 2022 - AWS: A great way to run 5G networks (HYB206)
Summary
- AWS is positioned as a comprehensive solution for running 5G networks, addressing the complexities and opportunities of 5G for operators and enterprises.
- Meerao, Director of Product Management at AWS, highlights AWS's journey from focusing on telco infrastructure to offering a Cloud2Edge continuum of services.
- AWS's service offerings range from massive data centers to edge solutions like Outposts, Local Zones, and Snow Services, catering to various latency, data residency, and connectivity needs.
- The session emphasizes the importance of cloud services in the cost of goods sold (COGS) for the 5G telco industry, marking a significant shift from traditional networking to cloud-based, software-defined networking.
- AWS partners with industry leaders like Ericsson and Nokia to support the deployment of 5G networks across different components and locations.
- Mark Dusner from Swisscom discusses their transformation from a traditional telco to a technology-focused company, leveraging AWS for simplification, cloud nativeness, automation, and cultural change.
- Nits Jagannathan, Senior Product Manager at AWS for Snow Services, explains how AWS Snow enables private 5G in disconnected environments, providing a range of AWS services on rugged, secure, and scalable devices.
- Success stories include Spark New Zealand's use of Snow for AI/ML at the edge, Telenor's deployment for search and rescue, and Swisscom's hybrid 5G core in the AWS Switzerland region.
Insights
- The telco industry is undergoing a transformation where cloud services are integral to the operation and deployment of 5G networks, indicating a shift from capital expenditure to operational expenditure models.
- AWS's Cloud2Edge continuum suggests that AWS is not just a cloud provider but also a key player in edge computing, offering solutions that cater to the specific needs of 5G deployment, such as low latency and local data processing.
- The partnership between AWS and Swisscom showcases a real-world example of how a traditional telco can evolve into a technology company by embracing cloud services, automation, and cultural change.
- AWS Snow Services' ability to operate in disconnected environments opens up possibilities for 5G deployment in remote and challenging locations, highlighting AWS's commitment to innovation beyond traditional data center confines.
- The session underscores the importance of a unified architecture and common tooling across cloud and edge environments to reduce complexity and accelerate innovation in the 5G space.
- AWS's approach to 5G includes not only providing infrastructure but also enabling a complete ecosystem with managed services and partner solutions, demonstrating a comprehensive strategy to support the diverse needs of 5G customers.