By Edward Lim
Singtel is collaborating with Intel to establish a 5G Multi-access Edge Compute (MEC) incubator to help enterprises on their 5G journey.
The incubator will provide the resources for enterprises to test and deploy 5G applications that need low latency processing at the edge. It will be powered by Intel’s 4th Gen Xeon Scalable processors and Intel Ponte Vecchio data centre GPU and supported by the Singtel Paragon all-in-one platform for 5G network, edge computing and services orchestration.
The collaboration will focus on developing the application and ecosystems to deliver transformational enterprise and consumer use cases such as cloud gaming, high-definition content delivery, metaverse, video analytics, and virtual-augmented-mixed reality.
According to Bill Chang (top), Chief Executive Officer, Group Enterprise and Regional Data Centre Business of Singtel, the collaboration will make the road to 5G simpler, faster and at a lower cost for enterprises in Singapore.
“Singtel’s 5G network and Paragon MEC platform are transforming operations in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, smart logistics, healthcare, retail, transportation and urban planning. With Intel, we’re collectively bringing together our best of breed knowledge, expertise, assets and ecosystem to help address business needs, improve operational efficiencies, unlock new opportunities and advance in a 5G world,” he said.
“As enterprises navigate a significant digital transformation, technologies like 5G, edge, artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud play a key role in helping to deliver new use cases,” said Christoph Schell (above), Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Intel.
“Our collaboration with Singtel will help accelerate use of these technologies to solve real business challenges, by utilising our unique combination of hardware and software spanning Xeon, GPUs, Smart Edge, OpenVINO, and more, and also a broad portfolio of ecosystem innovations,“ he added.
Enterprises can tap into both companies’ ecosystem to deliver their 5G use cases, including ready to-deploy applications for rapid trials and proof of concepts for research and development.
Initial trials
Among the first successful trials on the platform is a content delivery solution which reduces video loading time by up to 46 percent on 5G Edge MEC compared to 4G with public cloud.
Another trial with Axis Communications and Ipsotek’s VISuite AI software (above) uses advanced video analytics to enhance safety and security at worksites. By tapping on the 5G network and Paragon, the software can detect if appropriate personal protection equipment are not worn, trips and falls, unauthorised access, and alert users to tampering of video cameras.
Other trials include a mixed reality usage solution for real-time workspace collaboration with HTC, and energy-saving technology developed by Quanta that enables a more sustainable MEC platform for enterprises.
The incubator programme may be rolled out regionally when the markets are ready.
Entelechy Asia 