Nokia Siemens Networks, Intel work together to transform mobile broadband experience

Espoo, Finland


Sign Memorandum of Understanding for developing the ecosystem

Nokia Siemens Networks and Intel signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a set of common objectives around the development of Liquid Applications, an innovative approach from Nokia Siemens Networks that will accelerate the delivery of media-rich services and content directly from the base station.

The intent of the collaboration is to accelerate development of an enhanced mobile broadband experience that gives operators new revenue and differentiation opportunities. Nokia Siemens Networks and Intel will collaborate in the creation of a mobile edge computing ecosystem, focusing on over-the-top (OTT) content providers, independent software vendors (ISV) and application service providers (ASP). The parties will also explore new business models between mobile operators and other ecosystem players, facilitating engagements with the purpose of delivering a superior and profitable customer experience.

“Mobile operators have an extensive network of base stations in numerous locations. Placing applications and services in the base station will turn the base station into an intelligent part of a mobile operator’s network, to serve and deliver local content. Other content providers in the ecosystem can also benefit from the proximity of applications to mobile users”, said Dirk Lindemeier, head of Liquid Net at Nokia Siemens Networks. “We are excited to collaborate with Intel and further develop our Liquid Applications platform. We are also looking forward to engaging with the wider ecosystem to encourage the development of new applications that connect mobile subscribers with local points-of-interest, businesses and events.”

At the heart of Liquid Applications is the Radio Applications Cloud Server (RACS), which provides capabilities such as localized processing, content storage, and access to real-time radio and network information inside the base station. RACS utilizes Intel’s Crystal Forest Platform, which was specifically developed for the communications infrastructure market and is powered by low-power Intel® Xeon processors. The small footprint and exceptional energy efficiency of the platform support integration into non-standard environments and small form factor mobile base stations, while also providing the performance needed to handle more extensive localized processing.

“Nokia Siemens Networks and Intel are working closely together to merge key IT advancements and telecommunication applications in a way that yields a state-of-the-art mobile edge computing solution. The RACS includes Intel® architecture that is widely used by application service providers and enterprise cloud implementations globally,” said Steve Price, general manager of Intel’s Communications Infrastructure Division. “Operators can now extend the applications and services cloud all the way out to the base station and thus offer an enhanced and unmatched mobile broadband experience.”

More information on the topic is available in a joint Nokia Siemens Networks and Intel technical brief Increasing Mobile Operators’ Value Proposition with Edge Computing (PDF).

To share your thoughts on the topic, join the discussion with @NokiaSiemensNet on Twitter using #mobilebroadband and #MBBFuture.
About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 120 countries and had net sales of approximately 13.4 billion euros in 2012. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com