Monat: Februar 2023

Azure private MEC delivers modern connected applications for industries

Since introducing Azure private multi-access edge compute (MEC) in public preview (June 2021), we have continued to further our mission of empowering enterprises and governments to achieve more with modern connected applications. Azure private MEC simplifies adoption of these applications by enterprises with cloud-managed edge infrastructure and services combined with edge networking. Private 5G is paving the way to unlock innovative Industry 4.0 services for enterprises worldwide. As part of our ongoing efforts, we are also introducing new capabilities to provide wider connectivity choices, increased reliability, unified management, and broader platform options to serve global enterprises at scale.

Azure private MEC is continually being built and delivered by an expanding set of operators, SIs, and ISV partners. Our partners serve a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, transportation, logistics, energy, retail, and defense. Enterprises now have a choice to select the right application, deploy quickly, and scale at their own pace. Click the logos to watch these digital transformation stories from our partners and their customers:

 

Enterprises customers in their own words

“NEXCOM understands that collaborating with partners is crucial to success. Inventec’s complete 5G end-to-end connectivity and Smart Factory solutions using Azure Private 5G Core perfectly complement our own offerings and fill the Communications Technology gap. What impressed us most is Inventec’s pioneering efforts to adopt the solutions in its own factory, with proven ROI. And with the high speed and ultra-low latency of a secured, private 5G network vs. Wi-Fi, the AMR can be deployed in our factory more efficiently, while improving productivity and overall operations.”—Clement Lin, CEO NEXCOM.

“Q-tainer is a rugged device that can withstand the harsh environment of construction sites. Rhomberg Sersa brings the know-how of construction to the table, and Datwyler helps solve our IT challenges, and enables us to support and scale the system globally. We have a long-standing relationship with Microsoft for their hardware and software solutions. We are using Azure Stack Edge and Azure Private 5G Core to integrate the Q-tainer) with our construction sites.”—Hubert Rhomberg, Co-Owner Rhomberg Sersa Rail.

Azure Private 5G Core is now generally available

Last year at MWC Barcelona, we introduced the public preview of Azure Private 5G Core—a simple, scalable, and secure deployment of a 5G standalone core network deployed on the Azure Stack Edge platform. Azure Private 5G Core enables deployment and management of 5G core network functions on a small footprint edge compute for a private mobile network on enterprise premises. It connects with 4G and 5G radio access networks, devices, SIM, and applications supplied by a growing list of solution partners.

We are pleased to announce that it is now generally available to deploy and manage core network deployments at any enterprise site around the world. This release includes a range of new and enhanced features: support for 4G LTE and 5G standalone radios, rapid deployment on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) on Azure Stack Edge Pro with GPU, and multi-site deployment.

This release introduces a built-in metrics dashboard, enhanced availability (including a disconnected mode for increased resilience), advanced SIM security, custom policy with QoS support, and support for select Azure Stack Edge and HCI hardware platforms. Multi-slicing and multi-DNN capability provides granular integration with appropriate enterprise LAN or WAN data networks.

If you are ready to deploy a private 4G or 5G network, get started today with Azure Private 5G Core from Azure Marketplace.

Introducing Azure Edge Network Fabric

Operational technology (OT) devices require an enterprise to choose from a variety of access methods and physical network devices for network capabilities. However, a lack of unified lifecycle management, policy configuration, and troubleshooting make it complex for the enterprise to run such multi-access networks in support of their Industry 4.0 initiatives.

To solve these complex issues, Azure Edge Network Fabric provides secure, policy-based routing between multi-access devices at a customer’s premises to local applications, cloud, and edge networking like firewall or SD WAN, hosted on Azure private MEC. It is a high-performance, small footprint container network function, managed from the cloud, that simplifies private MEC deployments. At private preview, Azure Edge Network Fabric will converge traffic from IoT devices across both Wi-Fi and 5G connectivity into a common enterprise network environment.

In collaboration with CommScope, with their enterprise-grade Wi-Fi solution, and Azure Edge Network Fabric, private MEC now supports Wi-Fi and 5G access as one unified network, simplifying operation and management of private networks.

Introducing Radio Access Network (RAN) Observability

The flexibility to choose from pre-validated RAN vendors introduces complexity for monitoring multi-vendor networks. Today, this is solved either by vendor-specific implementations that create lock-ins, or with complex and non-standard implementations.

Now, we are introducing RAN Observability to collect, adapt, monitor, and analyze RAN Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) from the RAN elements with Azure Private 5G Core online dashboards. This provides our solution partners and enterprise customers with combined observability, network insights, and analytics capability for the complete private 4G/5G network from a single portal, simplifying multi-vendor, multi-site deployments.

We invite RAN vendors to the Azure private MEC ecosystem to conduct 3GPP functional inter-operability, to onboard network management software on Azure, and to integrate metrics to simplify the deployment and management of private networks by enterprises.

ISV program for Azure private MEC

The launch of the ISV Program for Azure private MEC gives enterprises access to a robust ecosystem of validated full-stack solutions, to unlock the value of their private 5G investments, and accelerate time-to-value. With this access, enterprises can quickly deploy validated low-latency and high-reliability ISV solutions that leverage 4G/5G networks and edge compute.

The program helps ISVs to accelerate the development of modern connected applications, as well as time-to-market. ISVs get technical guidance on best practices for integrating solutions with Azure private MEC, including testing and validation in the Azure private MEC ISV Lab.

Several innovative ISV solutions with a wide range of use cases that include robotics, Video AI, and IoT serving in different industries, have adopted Azure private MEC. Their solutions are available today on Azure Marketplace.

Watch this video to learn more about the ISV program.

Private MEC partner solution offers

Our telco partners—including AT&T, British Telcom, Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, STC, Tampnet, and Telefonica—offer private MEC solutions for their enterprise customers. The following SI and ISV partners are creating innovative Azure private MEC solutions, published on Azure Marketplace, to serve enterprises across multiple industries:

Manufacturing solutions

Accenture’s Manufacturing Quality Inspection on 5G Cloud Box delivers high-speed, flexible connectivity to high-definition wireless cameras, detecting in real-time any product defect on the production line.
Capgemini’s Computer Vision uses object recognition, crowd mobility analysis, and facial recognition to process real-time, mission-critical data necessary for operational insights.
Cognitiwe’s Health and Safety Monitoring provides in-line quality control, stock monitoring, and health and safety monitoring for manufacturers with real-time and predictive analysis.
Cognizant’s Vision AI for Worker Health & Safety enhances workforce safety by identifying when workers enter a hazardous work-zone and whereby taking proactive actions to protect workers from injury.
ILink Digital's built MIDAS, is a vision platform using AI and machine learning to perform real-time video processing and analytics for quick actions/triggers for object classification, object detection, or pattern matching on a real-time video that can be used for a wide variety of use cases to deliver revenue growth, operational efficiency, and process insights.
Inventec‘s factories with latency-sensitive edge AI and IoT applications such as Automated Optical Inspection, remote collaboration, image recognition, Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR), and Digital Twins.
RedViking’s Argonaut Industry 4.0 solution enables risk reduction and resilient operations through machine-to-machine communications, automated data traceability, and real-time decision-making features with 5G connected AGV systems.
Tech Mahindra’s private 5G solutions includes an AI-based video analytics solution to derive insights into factors causing variations in step and cycle times, as well as AR headsets to enable remote expert assist and training to line workers on a real-time basis.
TCS’s Cognitive Plant Operations Adviser helps to make plant operations more predictive, prescriptive, and self-aware with deep causal reasoning that reduces operations and maintenance costs, improves product quality, reduces emissions, increases throughput, and makes production lines more agile and safe.
weavix, the Internet of Workers platform, is a single source of truth that allows facility owners, manufacturers, and general contractors to realize the future of work.

Transportation and critical infrastructure

Amdocs’ Smart Lighting for Smart Cities delivers not only smart, efficient lighting services but also public/private internet access capabilities and real-time environmental and movement data for municipal analytical insights.
Avanade’s Private 5G-Enabled Utilities – Worker Safety Solution delivers connectivity, push-to-talk, and location tracking of utility workers across field sites.
Datwyler and Rhomberg Sersa Group have joined forces to develop the Q-tainer, a mobile data center that provides easy plug and play, state-of-the-art connectivity for edge computing within the construction industry.
HARMAN’s Real Time Cargo Tracking Solution is deployed at airports for tracking cargo movements from planes to warehouses to enable faster plane turnaround times and reduction in lost cargo
HCL’s 5G-Enabled Airports delivers innovative solution like Airport Ambulance Tracking to automate medical assistance and Water Uplifting to reduce airplane turnaround times that are impacted by delivery of high-quality water for roaming portable water trucks.
Ipsotek’s VI Suite of products provides edge-based AI and machine learning video analytics solutions for applications from intrusion detection, high-accuracy people counting, traffic analysis, and business intelligence for object tracking.
NTT AG’s Smart Airport solution is helping airports to digitally transform their operations, including baggage handling, passenger screening, and data transfer.
Tech Mahindra’s ContainerSight and DockSight video analytics solutions provide real-time visibility with data-driven decision making to reduce shipping container transport costs and optimize the use of trucking containers.
Sensing Feeling’s SensorMAXTM Edge helps owners and operators of real-world spaces better manage the risks, safety, and well-being of people who work in them and the assets they work with.

Retail and Entertainment

Cognitiwe’s Fresh Food Monitoring enables retailers to gain real-time insights and data-driven predictions to help retailers become more sustainable and ensures that products are always fresh and of the highest quality, while reducing the risk of fraud and shrinkage.
HCL 5G-Enabled Theme Park delivers an immersive guest experience comprising of a multi-drone light show performance; 5G-Enabled Casino uses real time video analytics to identify malicious behavior in order to maintain a safe environment for its players.
Neal Analytics, a Fractal company, accelerates retailers’ data-driven business transformation with proven edge-to-cloud, engineering, and AI expertise, showcased in their StockView solutions.

Private 5G connectivity

Accenture: 5G Cloud Box
British Telecom: Private 5G Networks
Capgemini: 5G Private Networks
Cognizant: Private 5G Network Solution
Compal: Private 5G sub6 and mmWave
HCL: Private 5G Consultancy Service
Infosys: Enterprise Private 5G-as-a-Service
Inventec: 5G Private Network Solution
NTT: P5G Private Wireless for Enterprise
Pegatron: 5G Private Network
Tech Mahindra: Private 5G Wireless Network

Learn more about Azure private MEC

It’s easy to get started with Azure private MEC.

As innovative use cases for private wireless networks continue to develop and digital transformation accelerates across many industries, we welcome ISVs, platform partners, operators, and SIs to learn more about Azure private MEC.

Enterprises interested in any of the solutions listed above can contact our partners via the Azure Marketplace listings, or by contacting the Azure private MEC team.

Operators, SIs, and networking and application ISVs interested in partnering with Microsoft to build solutions with private MEC can get started by registering here.

To learn more about how Microsoft can help organizations embrace 5G with modern connected applications, sign up for news and updates.
Quelle: Azure

Empowering operators and enterprises with the next wave of Azure for Operators services shaping the future of cloud

The future of connectivity and the cloud

Over the past decade, we at Microsoft have seen a tremendous amount of change—digital transformation enabled by the cloud. But the cloud’s biggest impact is yet to come. McKinsey estimates that by 2030, we’ll see more than a trillion dollars impacted by the cloud across the Fortune 500.1 In an industry currently experiencing large-scale transformation, this represents a huge opportunity.

The future cloud, however, will look very different from the cloud of today. It will expand to become a highly distributed fabric, spanning 5G to space. It will be powered by a modern network infrastructure and will enable a new application and connectivity paradigm—what we call modern connected apps—that puts compute even closer to the problems we need to solve.

This new generation of highly distributed, low latency, and network-aware applications uses 5G innovation to enable computing where it’s needed most and opens entirely new scenarios for operators, enterprises, and developers across a range of industries. 

Unlocking the opportunity for the telecommunications ecosystem

At Microsoft, our aim is to be the most trusted co-innovation partner through every stage of the digital evolution, committed to working with communications service providers (CSPs), enterprises, developers, and ISVs alike on the future of a ubiquitous cloud that unlocks the true potential of modern connected apps.

We are empowering operators to accelerate their network transformation with our carrier-grade, trusted platform and helping them unlock new opportunities with automation and AI.
We are enabling enterprises with ubiquitous computing that spans from cloud to edge.
And we are helping developers and ISVs build more innovative, network-aware applications.

Microsoft is providing the key solutions that are shaping the future cloud, and we have some exciting news in each of these areas to help operators, enterprises, and developers get started.

Accelerate network transformation with carrier-grade trusted platform

One of our goals is to enable operators to optimize their existing investments and services and to accelerate network transformation on our carrier-grade, trusted hybrid platform. Central to this goal is our Azure for Operators portfolio.

Last year, we unveiled a new wave of Azure for Operators solutions and services, which continue to enable the secure development of high-performance, low-latency applications, and next-generation wireless solutions. 

Introducing Microsoft Azure Operator Nexus

Today we are announcing the public preview of Azure Operator Nexus—the next-generation hybrid cloud platform created for communications service providers (CSPs). Since we debuted the private preview at MWC 2022, we’ve expanded the capabilities of Operator Nexus to meet the needs of operators that are looking to modernize and transform their network. Operator Nexus enables operators to use cloud technology to modernize and monetize their network investments—lowering total cost of ownership (TCO), driving operational efficiency and resiliency with advanced AI and automation, improving the security of highly distributed, software-based networks.

Operator Nexus enables operators to run their workloads on-premises or on Azure, where they can seamlessly deploy, manage, secure, and monitor everything—from the bare metal to the network to the tenant. It is purpose-built for carrier-grade workloads, using the same Azure experience offered by the hyperscale public cloud, supporting our first-party solutions as well as a wide variety of our partner ecosystem offerings from industry-leading network equipment provider (NEP) partners. Proven to run network functions at a tier-one operator scale, Operator Nexus meets the security, resiliency, observability, manageability, and performance needs required by operators to achieve meaningful business results throughout the digital transformation of their mobile network.

“As a pioneer in network virtualization and SDN, AT&T is confident in our decision to run our multi-vendor 5G Standalone Mobile Core on Operator Nexus platform while we continue to deploy and operate the platform in AT&T data centers. AT&T made the decision to adopt Operator Nexus platform over time with expectation to lower total cost of ownership (TCO), leverage the power of AI to simplify operations, improve time to market, and focus on our core competency of building the world’s best 5G service. We appreciate the efforts of our Network Function ecosystem collaborators to support the evolution of our Mobility Core platform.”—Igal Elbaz, Senior Vice President, Network CTO, AT&T

“Through the combination of Ericsson’s market-leading, cloud-native 5G Core applications and orchestration suite with Microsoft’s carrier-grade Operator Nexus platform, we envision many opportunities for CSPs to digitally transform their core networks while improving customer experiences and creating exciting, new mobile services. Building on our success at mutual customers such as AT&T, Ericsson, and Microsoft are investing together to ensure Ericsson 5G Core cloud-native applications run on the Operator Nexus platform efficiently, securely, and reliably."—Monica Zethzon, Vice President and Head of Solution Area Core Networks, Ericsson

“With the addition of Mavenir’s open cloud-native architecture end-to-end solutions including Converged Packet Core to Operator Nexus platform we look forward to working with Microsoft to help operators drive their core network transformations.”—Bejoy Pankajakshan, EVP, Chief Technology and Strategy Officer, Mavenir

"We’re excited to further strengthen our growing partnership with Microsoft to Nokia’s Cloud and Network Services portfolio that enables operators to run Nokia’s cloud-native 5G Core on Operator Nexus’ carrier-grade hybrid cloud platform as well as for Nokia to provide the network functions and platform to make operator network APIs available to developers through the Azure platform."—Fran Heeran, SVP, Core Networks, Nokia Cloud and Network Services, Nokia

Learn more about Operator Nexus in this Operator Nexus blog and this Operator Nexus video.

Azure Operator Nexus Ready and systems integrator programs

We are also introducing the Operator Nexus Ready and systems integrator (SI) programs to ensure that our platform has a broad and trusted ecosystem of support. To accelerate deployment and integration, the  Operator Nexus Ready program certifies that the ecosystem of cloud-native network functions (CNFs), virtual network functions (VNFs), and other software interoperate with the Operator Nexus platform. We are in the process of certifying VNFs and CNFs from a range of partners with two certification levels.

Level one is a base level that assures interoperability with the Operator Nexus platform.
Level two adds Azure deployment automation using the Azure Network Function Manager and offers entrance into the Azure Marketplace for ready availability to operators.

Additionally, our Operator Nexus SI program includes a select group of systems integrators known for both their telecommunications expertise, as well as their broad Azure skills. Each of these partners will work closely with the Operator Nexus engineering team to build their Operator Nexus platform skills, and to assure customer success in deployment and integration.

Voice Core reimagined 

Another crucial aim of ours is to help optimize operators’ existing communications investments and services. To this end, we are announcing the general availability of Azure Communications Gateway and the private preview of Azure Operator Voicemail. We developed these voice services to support fixed and mobile operators as they continue to migrate critical voice workloads to the cloud.

Azure Communications Gateway provides operators with the critical interworking functionality required to connect an operator’s established public switched telephone network (PSTN) directly to Microsoft Teams, enabling them to deliver Operator Connect and Teams Phone Mobile services. Communications Gateway is a globally available, managed service that offers an alternative to on-premises solutions for session initiation protocol (SIP) interworking and API automation, thereby simplifying network integration and expediting operators’ time to market. To learn more, read the Azure Communications Gateway Tech Community blog.

Azure Operator Voicemail enables operators to migrate their voicemail services to Azure and take advantage of a fully managed service, reducing the operational support burden and allowing for greater focus on revenue-producing projects. To learn more, read the Azure Operator Voicemail Tech Community blog.

With these announcements, we remain committed in our effort to accelerate network transformation and meet operators exactly where they are on their cloud journey.

Unlock opportunities with automation and AI

The world has been inspired by the transformative power of AI thanks to the recent success of ChatGPT and our ongoing partnership with OpenAI. Now, operators can take advantage of specialized, advanced AI solutions that help to unlock new business opportunities from data and insights in their operations, such as AIOps.

Next-gen AI operations for operators

The complexity of managing 5G services requires a new way of managing networks dependent on real-time analysis of massive quantities of data that applies predictive AI to inform the configuration of the product environments. AIOps employs the same operational techniques and capabilities that Microsoft uses to manage Azure, one of the world’s most complex services, packaged specifically for operators’ needs.

Today, we are announcing the public preview of two AIOps services Azure Operator Insights and Azure Operator Service Manager. These hybrid services simplify the management of existing networks as well as ensure new Microsoft services, such as Azure Operator Nexus, Voice Communications Gateway, and Operator 5G Core, are managed with consistent approaches for monitoring, diagnostics, and lifecycle management.

Azure Operator Insights enables the collection and analysis of massive quantities of network data gathered from complex multi-part or multi-vendor network functions. It delivers insights for operator-specific workloads to help operators understand the health of their networks and the quality of their subscribers' experiences.
Azure Operator Service Manager provides seamless management of complex services deployed across hybrid cloud sites. Combined with consolidated management across Azure cloud and edge platforms, Operator Service Manager helps to accelerate operator service deployment. Together, these new services generate insights from data to inform the configuration of the network—with changes tested thoroughly using Safe Deployment Processes. We are making them available to operators, NEPs, and SIs directly for managing workloads in operators’ networks, Azure, and hybrid environments. We look forward to the opportunities these new AIOps services bring operators in the future.

“3UK is laser-focused on delivering world-class gaming experience to mobile users and we are excited to be working with the Microsoft Azure for Operators organization whose new operator-specific analytics services are delivering near real-time insights with quality, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness not otherwise possible.”—Iain Milligan, Chief Network Officer, 3UK

“2degrees delivers world-class mobile services to our customers. We are excited to be working with Microsoft Azure for Operators and their new operator-specific analytics services. Together we are exploring innovative capabilities using the new Azure Operator Insights analytics service, focusing on ensuring we continue to provide our customers with the exceptional mobile services they expect.”—Saul Parkinson, Core Network Architect, 2degrees

Azure for Operators brings together a truly better-together portfolio that encompasses many aspects of the operator’s network. It’s rooted in Azure Operator 5G Core and deployed by Azure Operator Service Manager on Azure Operator Nexus. Using AI from Azure Operator Insights, it’s intelligently operated and monitored. And importantly, it includes opportunities for our ecosystem of partners. Watch the video to learn more about how we are empowering operators to modernize and monetize their 5G investments. 

Build innovative, network-aware applications with new Azure Programmable Connectivity 

Along with operators, we are also working hard to enable developers for the evolution of cloud and edge. Today, we are announcing the private preview of Azure Programmable Connectivity, a solution for developers to build network-aware modern connected applications. Azure Programmable Connectivity provides a unified, standard interface across operator networks, enabling developers to create cloud and edge-native applications that interact with the intelligence of networks. This solution will deliver a consistent, transparent experience across multiple connectivity environments such as public and private LTE/5G networks, as well as wired and satellite networks. By exposing aspects of the underlying network to applications, Azure Programmable Connectivity provides a large developers ecosystem enabling operators to monetize their infrastructure investments.

Azure Programmable Connectivity helps application developers deliver the best user experience for highly distributed, modern connected applications by offering a seamless and enriched connection between networks and diverse compute targets, such as cloud regions, private and public MEC, IoT edge, and satellite for example, ensuring that developers can access the underlying network capabilities with ease. We are also collaborating with a growing ecosystem of operators, network technology companies, and API platform providers to help unlock the potential of Azure Programmable Connectivity. These include a global operator ecosystem including AT&T, Rogers, and T-Mobile in North America; Deutsche Telekom and Telefonica in Europe; and Singtel in Asia. Microsoft is also working with network technology partners and API platform providers Ericsson including its Vonage/Ericsson Global Network Platform and Nokia including its Network as Code platform, with more partners coming soon.

Watch demo videos with some of our partners AT&T, DT/T-Mobile, and Telefonica.

Developers can apply and signup for access to the private preview program.

Enable ubiquitous computing from cloud to edge 

As the cloud continues to grow in capability, agility, and reach, so does our platform, which enables ubiquitous computing and connectivity extending from cloud to edge—including private MEC, public MEC, on-premises, cloud regions, and even space.

Azure Private 5G Core now generally available 

As part of this expansion, today we are excited to announce that Azure Private 5G Core is now generally available. Since introducing Azure private MEC in public preview in June 2021 and Azure Private 5G Core at MWC 2022, we continue our mission to empower enterprises and governments to achieve more with multi-access edge compute, networking, and applications.

Azure private MEC will be built and delivered by an increasing set of operators, SIs, and ISV partners, serving enterprises across a wide range of industries around the world, including manufacturing, transportation, logistics, energy, and defense sectors. To date, more than 25 partners have published their offers on Azure Marketplace, making it easy for enterprises to quickly deploy these solutions, and to take advantage of private 5G. Learn more about our partner solutions in this private MEC blog.

Azure Private 5G Core provides a simple, scalable, and secure deployment of a 5G standalone core network deployed on Azure Stack Edge. This release includes a range of enhanced features such as support for 4G LTE and 5G standalone radios, rapid deployment on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) on Azure Stack Edge Pro, and multi-site deployment. It also includes a built-in metrics dashboard, enhanced availability, advanced SIM policy with QoS support, and support for select Azure Stack Edge and HCI hardware platforms. 

Hosted on Azure private MEC, we are also unveiling Azure Edge Network Fabric which provides secure policy-based routing between multi-access devices at a customer’s premises and local applications, cloud, and edge networks, simplifying private MEC deployments. We are also previewing Radio Access Network (RAN) Observability capability to integrate RAN key performance indicators (KPI) with online dashboards. This feature provides partners and enterprises with combined observability, network insights, and analytics capability for the complete private 4G or 5G network—all from a single Azure portal.

“Reliable network connections are key for many processes and applications throughout the airport, especially the bridging point between Wi-Fi networks and public networks, as this is becoming an increasing issue with large amounts of data and real-time applications. NTT’s solution, powered by Azure private MEC, is helping us deploy the infrastructure and applications that will increase our operational efficiencies. NTT’s knowledge of 5G networks, combined with their experience in the aviation industry, is the perfect combination.”—Sebastian Mueller, CIO Cologne Bonn Airport

Expanding Azure public MEC solutions across North America and Asia 

Finally, our public MEC capabilities continue to expand to enable enterprises and developers to deploy latency-sensitive applications in densely populated metros for use cases such as venues, airports, and connected cities. At Microsoft Ignite, we announced the general availability of Azure public MEC with AT&T in Atlanta and Dallas. Now, we are extending the general availability of new sites with AT&T in Detroit, with New York, Los Angeles, and Miami coming soon. We are also happy to announce the private preview of the Azure public MEC with Singtel in Singapore, the first public offering in Asia, which extends the capability of Azure to Singtel’s 5G network edge. 

“Combining AT&T 5G with the Azure public MEC solution is laying the foundation for low-latency use cases, especially across transportation. With vehicles becoming the ultimate connected device, these edge zones will allow for new and improved driving experiences. With each new site, we’re one step closer to seeing the true breadth and depth 5G will unleash for businesses and consumers alike.”—Mike Troiano, SVP, Products, AT&T Business

“Singtel is excited about the collaboration with Microsoft to be the first telco in Asia to launch an Azure public MEC offering powered by Azure and Singtel Paragon Platform. The Azure public MEC is now available for enterprises in Singapore to deploy latency-sensitive applications. Enterprises can also leverage the ecosystem of partner apps from Singtel’s Paragon Platform and Microsoft at the Azure public MEC.”—Bill Chang, CEO Group Enterprise and Regional Data Center, Singtel

Learn more in Azure public MEC with this Singtel video.

MEC ISV programs enable rapid enterprise solution deployments 

We invite technology partners to join our ISV programs for Azure public MEC and Azure private MEC to receive technical benefits and platform capabilities designed specifically for ISVs, including discounted demos, training, and go-to-market support. 

Azure private MEC ISV program: Watch and read this blog to learn more about the Azure private MEC ISV program featuring Cognitiwe, Ipsotek, RedViking, and weavix. Register here to learn more.
Azure public MEC ISV program: Watch the video to learn more about the Azure public MEC ISV program featuring Multicasting.io, Palo Alto Networks, and Veeam. Register here to learn more.

Get started today

Along with our ecosystem partners, we are truly building a "better together" architecture that holistically addresses the needs of CSPs as they look to transform their networks. Our aim is to be the most trusted co-innovation partner through every stage of the digital evolution, committed to working with operators and enterprises on the future of modern networks and the cloud.

Invitation to operators, system integrators, and network function partners

For CSPs interested to modernize and monetize their network investments, signup today.
Operators and System Integrators interested in collaborating with Microsoft to build solutions with private MEC can get started by registering now.

Invitation to enterprise, developers, and ISVs 

Enterprises interested in any of the solutions listed above can contact our partners via the Azure Marketplace listings, or by contacting the Azure private MEC team.
Developers who are interested to create network-aware applications with Azure Programmable Connectivity can sign up now.
Discover transformative 5G use cases, training, solution accelerators, and 5G starter kits.
Application ISVs interested in collaborating with Microsoft to build MEC solutions can get started by registering here for private MEC and here for public MEC.
To learn more about how Microsoft is helping organizations embrace 5G with modern connected applications, sign up for news and updates delivered to your inbox.

1Cloud’s trillion-dollar prize is up for grabs, McKinsey.
Quelle: Azure