MWC 2019: Cisco said that it is building world’s first end-to-end fully virtualized and cloud native mobile network for 5G deployment for Japanese firm Rakuten Mobile Network (RMN), a wholly owned subsidiary of Rakuten.
Rakuten is preparing to debut in Japan as a fourth major mobile carrier in October 2019. To reduce its network investment to just a fraction of conventional levels, the company is heavily investing in software driven new technologies like virtualization and telecom cloud.
“Rakuten is taking a cutting-edge approach to mobile networking, modelling a new type of network that is software-powered and automated from top to bottom,” said Tareq Amin, chief technology officer, Rakuten Mobile Network.
Earlier, on February 12, the Internet service giant had announced that it plans to launch commercial mobile services via its new mobile network with cloud-native architecture that is fully virtualized from radio access to core, with end-to-end automation for both network operations and services.
Cisco said that the foundation of the new Rakuten Mobile Network architecture and telco-cloud will extensively use Cisco software and services, and routing and switching hardware.
The American technology giant said that it delivered its best-of-breed portfolio spanning technology from its Cloud, IT and Service Provider businesses, as well as engineering, multi-vendor system integration, security and operations expertise from Cisco Customer Experience to deliver in record time what was considered close to impossible less than eight months ago.
“With design approach we mapped out with Cisco and a carefull selected vendor ecosystem, we believe we can offer high-value services at more affordable costs, helping our customers to share the true benefits of cloud innovation,” said Amin.
“With the launch of this network faster than any operator has accomplished before, the world sees a shining example of the power of cloud and automation for the future of mobility,” said Jonathan Davidson, senior vice president and general manager, Service Provider Business, Cisco.
“Our collaboration from concept to launch shows the breadth of Cisco to support Rakuten in designing a zero touch, fully automated, and software-driven mobile telco cloud that can serve millions of subscribers, and be ready for 5G,” said Davidson.
At Mobile World Congress in Bareclona, Cisco Chairman and CEO Chuck Robbins and Rakuten Chairman, President and CEO Mickey Mikitani will showcase the two companies partnership in a shared keynote.
