Title

AWS re:Invent 2023 - DISH’s Smart 5G network: Cloud-native data streaming (AIM314)

Summary

Joseph Reis from Confluent and Brian Wingwasser from Dish Wireless presented their collaboration on DISH's smart 5G network.
DISH built a cloud-native, virtualized, containerized 5G network with open interfaces (Open RAN) focusing on enterprise needs.
The network is designed to be agile, scalable, and reliable, aiming for five nines of reliability.
DISH's network is described as a data generation machine, leveraging a modern data framework and data mesh architecture.
Confluent's role is to facilitate data exchange and governance within DISH's data mesh, using Kafka for data streaming.
The presentation covered the importance of real-time data processing and the advantages of Kafka and Confluent for scalability, reliability, and flexibility.
Use cases in retail, automotive, and manufacturing were discussed, highlighting the need for real-time data and the benefits of a reliable network infrastructure.
Confluent Cloud on AWS was introduced as a cloud-native Kafka service, emphasizing features like tiered storage, scalability, security, and data governance.

DISH's approach to building a 5G network is innovative, focusing on virtualization and open interfaces, which is not common in traditional telecom networks.
The concept of a data mesh is central to DISH's architecture, allowing for decentralized data management and domain-specific data products.
Confluent's Kafka-based platform is crucial for enabling real-time data streaming and processing, which is essential for modern AI-driven applications.
The collaboration between DISH and Confluent demonstrates the trend towards cloud-native solutions in the telecom industry, leveraging the agility and scalability of the cloud.
The use cases presented show the growing demand for real-time data processing across various industries, with a focus on improving customer experiences and operational efficiency.
Confluent Cloud's integration with AWS services like EKS, Outposts, and Local Zones indicates a strong partnership and the importance of cloud services in supporting scalable data streaming solutions.
Data governance and quality are highlighted as critical components of a robust data streaming architecture, ensuring that data is accurate, consistent, and compliant with business rules.