AMD has announced it will be expanding support of its growing 5G partner ecosystem spanning from core to radio access networks (RAN) applications, delivering additional new test capabilities and unveiling new 5G products.
The AMD wireless telecom partner ecosystem has more than doubled in the past year, bolstered by the integration of the AMD and Xilinx product lines as well as the creation of its new Telco Solutions testing lab in collaboration with VIAVI.
Telco solutions testing lab
The formation of the Telco Solutions testing lab is vital for operators and telco solution providers to test, validate and scale computing resources to deliver on the ever-increasing demands from RAN and edge-to-core.
The testing lab supports validation of end-to-end solutions, including both hardware to software to leverage the performance and power efficiencies of the latest AMD processors, Adaptive SoCs, SmartNICs, FPGAs and DPUs.
In support of this mission, the VIAVI end-to-end testing suite was selected to provide the network test solution to analyze, develop and validate the impact of real-life conditions across an entire telco network.
The Telco Solutions testing lab will enable traffic simulation and generation across core, CU/DU, edge and RAN using both current and future AMD technologies to allow full functional and performance testing that meets current and future generation ecosystem requirements.
Based in Santa Clara, the Telco Solutions testing lab will bring in its first 5G ecosystem partners beginning Q2 of 2023.
Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC devices for emerging 4G/5G growth markets
The strong adoption of 4G/5G AMD Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC and MPSoC radio technology has enabled new integrated remote radio unit designs and opened new business opportunities for AMD and its partner ecosystem.
AMD is now expanding its Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC digital front-end (DFE) portfolio with two additions to the family: the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZU63DR and Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZU64DR devices.
These new RFSoCs will enable the expansion and deployment of 4G/5G radios into markets around the globe where lower cost, power and spectrum-efficient radios are required to address increased wireless connectivity.
“AMD has made incredible progress in the radio market and is proud to be showcasing at MWC Barcelona our collaboration with over 15 radio system ecosystem partners designing O-RAN-based remote radio units for open interfaces using AMD Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoCs and MPSoCs,” says Salil Raje, senior vice-president and GM: Adaptive and Embedded Computing Group at AMD.
“With our focus toward increasing 5G deployments around the world, the new AMD Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoCs are especially cost-effective and energy-efficient, making them ideal for emerging global markets including rural and outdoor deployments.”
The Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZU63DR specifically targets four transmit and four receive (4T4R) and dual band entry-level O-RAN radio unit (O-RU) applications. The Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZU64DR is targeted for eight transmit and eight receive (8T8R) O-RU applications using the 3rd Generation Partner Project (3GPP) split-8 option which supports alternative and legacy radio unit architectures.
Both RFSoC devices leverage the deep DFE integration available in the flagship Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZU67DR device and are expected to be in full production in Q2 of 2023. AMD will showcase its Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC DFE family at the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2023.
AMD ecosystem momentum with Nokia
As part of the growing AMD telco ecosystem, AMD and Nokia are jointly announcing an expanded collaboration using 4th Gen AMD EPYC processor-based servers to deliver Nokia Cloud RAN solutions to help communications service providers achieve their most stringent energy efficiency goals.
AMD and Nokia recognize the challenges faced by operators dealing with spiraling energy costs and the growing importance of meeting carbon reduction targets at the core as well as the network edge.
“As part of our ambition to provide the best Cloud RAN solutions, we are excited to extend our collaboration with AMD. We are looking to take advantage of the 4th Gen AMD EPYC processor’s capabilities to further enhance Nokia’s Cloud RAN solutions,” says Pasi Toivanen, head of partner cloud RAN solutions at Nokia.
“Communication service providers across 5G Core and Cloud RAN increasingly demand new levels of performance and energy efficiency within their 5G networks. Our work with AMD recognizes the challenges faced by the telecommunications industry and helps to deliver on our partners’ and customers’ most ambitious energy efficiency targets.”
5G at MWC Barcelona 2023
At MWC 2023, AMD is showcasing the latest 4th Gen AMD EPYC processor-powered systems in conjunction with technology partners including: Amdocs, Groundhog, Juniper and Nokia. 5G ecosystem partners showcasing radio solutions with AMD include: Abside, Astrome, AW2S, CellXica, Comba, Fujitsu, Mavenir, NEC, Solid, Tejas, Ulak, Viettel, VVDN and Zlink.
Telecommunications equipment maker Ericsson will lay off 8 500 employees globally as part of its plan to cut costs, a memo sent to employees said.
While technology companies such as Microsoft, Meta Platforms and Google have laid off thousands of employees citing economic conditions, Ericsson’s move would be the largest layoff to hit the telecoms industry.
“The way headcount reductions will be managed will differ depending on local country practice,” CEO Börje Ekholm wrote in the memo.
“In several countries the headcount reductions have already been communicated this week,” he said.
On Monday, the company, which employs more than 105 000 worldwide, announced plans to cut about 1 400 jobs in Sweden.
While Ericsson did not disclose which country would be most affected, analysts had predicted that North America would likely be most affected and growing markets such as India the least.
The company said in December it would cut costs by US$880-million by the end of 2023 as demand slows in some markets, including North America.
“It is our obligation to take this cost out to remain competitive,” Ekholm said in the memo. “Our biggest enemy right now may be complacency.”
Many telecoms companies had beefed up their inventories during the height of the pandemic which is now leading to slowing orders for telecom equipment makers.
Verizon, one of the largest telecoms companies, plans to spend between $18.25-billion and $19.25-billion this year, down from a capital expenditure budget of $23-billion last year.
Nordic rival Nokia has not announced any plans to lay off employees. — Reuters
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC)’s Worldwide ICT Spending Guide: Enterprise and SMB by Industry, ICT spending in Europe will reach $1,2-rillion in 2023 and will surpass $1,4-trillion by 2026, posting a 5,4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the 2021-2026 period.
Overall European ICT spending is forecast to grow by 4,2% year on year in 2023, driven by the Scandinavian countries and the UK. On the other hand, sanctions imposed by the EU and the growing number of companies leaving Russia will result in the Russian ICT market shrinking by 9,4% year on year.
“While organisations in most countries are anticipating a recession this year, the outlook for European ICT spending remains positive,” says Zsolt Simon, senior research analyst at IDC. “They regard technology investments as a means of gaining a competitive edge, as well as providing solutions for many of the challenges arising in an extremely volatile market.”
Software will be the fastest-growing technology group on a year-on-year basis, and investments in cloud-first solutions will drive the overall technology market in Europe in 2023. Software has proven to be highly resilient to the storm of disruptions currently impacting the continent, supported by rapid growth in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and software quality and lifecycle tools, as well as application platforms, integration and orchestration middleware, and collaborative applications.
Despite inflationary pressures and economic recession in several European countries, investments in IT and business services, telecom services, and hardware will continue to increase as well. However, the device market has suffered from the declining purchasing power of consumers, supply chain constraints, and cost-saving measures among enterprises, which is expected to result in an overall decline in device spending of 2,2% in 2023.
The consumer sector will continue to be the largest source of ICT spending in 2025, representing almost 28% of total European ICT revenue, although year-on-year growth will remain below 1%, as the increasing cost of living is taking a toll on consumer purchases.
Banking and discrete manufacturing will take the second and third positions, respectively, in the ranking of highest spending industries, accounting for a combined market value of over $210-billion.
Entities in the banking sector will be focusing on accelerating automation to support core banking services, database management, and resource management. AI will be leveraged to offer more flexible and more personalized services for improved customer experiences.
Manufacturing companies will invest in technologies to ensure cost-effective operations, handle increasing amount of data, and reduce pressure on staff through robotics and process automation robotic process automation (RPA).
With the rate (and ingenuity) with which technology and communication is constantly evolving, you’d be forgiven for thinking that social media, robo-calling, and chat bots would dethrone email, but think again.
By David Lichtenstein, co-founder and CEO of Superhuman Sales
Good old, reliable email remains the lifeline of our professional world and the king of lead generation and sales – slamming the competition when it comes to generating quality leads.
Here are five (very good) reasons why.
Huge user base
It’s simple math. With 4,1-billion email users worldwide in 2021, and an expected increase to 4,6-billion by 2025, and almost 319-billion emails sent and received every day (according to one of Radicati Group Email Market’s latest reports), email’s user base is simply much larger than any other platform.
Compare it to Facebook, the largest social platform, and its 1,96-billion daily active users (approximately), and Twitter’s paltry 217-million; and then add it to the fact that unlike cold calling and text messages, emails have the potential for reaching an extended global audience too. It’s a no-brainer.
Primed prospects
Email users are more likely to be in a buying frame of mind when they open their inbox. Why? Unlike on social media, they expect to receive offers this way – they are already primed to receive and act on offers.
With social platforms users are generally there to catch up with friends, browse content, and play games, so your message is more often than not crowded out by the latest hashtag (#) or cat beatboxing. With email, you can train your customers to expect offers from you and teach them about your value on a regular basis.
In addition to this, you can easily collect and store valuable customer data by using email. This information can then be used to create highly targeted, personalised forms of communication that help your business increase its conversion rates.
High attention ratio
Email users are 14 times more likely to see your message than those on social media – this has been researched, you don’t need to take our word for it. Email is designed to reach the exact subscriber you intend it to, at virtually no cost.
Meanwhile, social media platforms can limit who sees your posts or ads, and make you pay for every click. Email is also non-invasive and persistent, giving you more face time with your prospects and a greater chance of getting your message across.
With emails, you can also follow-up with curated, personalised messages with just a few sentences and clicks. These follow-up emails help engage prospects, build relationships with current customers, and even track conversions.
Personal and professional
Emails are like letters on the internet, simulating a personal connection far better than reels, stories, status updates or tweets. They are also easy to automate and track, making them a more professional choice for building real business relationships.
Take it personally – email offers businesses the flexibility and control to customise their messages, and craft emails that are tailored to individual customer needs, preferences, and interests.
Advanced automation
While social media marketing can be automated using online tools, much of the technology is still in beta compared to email. Email is a mature, robust option that offers an effective, intuitive and seemingly more natural way of building relationships with your current customers, and importantly with new prospects, at scale.
Don’t underestimate the power of email in your next sales and lead generation journey – it’s the digital age’s answer to cold calling (without demoralising your sales team).
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