Globe Telecom picks HPE for multi-access edge computing using 5G

Hewlett Packard Enterprise has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Globe Telecom, the leading mobile network operator in the Philippines, to offer low latency cloud services at the edge of its network using HPE’s new Multi-access Edge Compute (MEC) solution.

Delivered to select users via a newly built Edge Incubation Lab, Globe is moving data-intensive workloads such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning closer to customers for faster data processing and analysis. HPE is enabling this offering with a pre-integrated, telco-grade MEC solution capable of integrated management, service operation, and traffic control. The HPE MEC as-a-service solution is delivered through HPE GreenLake giving customers like Globe the ability to start small and have the flexibility to scale out to meet future requirements.

Across the world, telecom operators have seen a steep network traffic surge while revenues have largely remained flat. In this digital age, consumers and enterprise businesses continue to maximize the use of large data and network traffic. Data and networks have become key pillars for businesses to compete in the digital economy. With the introduction of MEC technology, enterprises are seeking to move business-critical applications to the edge for latency, cost, and security reasons. Telcos are well positioned to lead the edge services market as they already have the infrastructure powering their current mobile and fixed networks.

Globe Telecom has over 80 million subscribers, solidifying its position by offering the most comprehensive 5G and edge computing services in the country. Globe has deployed HPE’s MEC solution at their Edge Incubation Lab and is now offering select customers value-added edge services such as AI-powered video analytics, industrial automation, cloud gaming, and virtual reality (VR) retail services. Once the trial comes to a conclusion, Globe plans to roll-out its edge services at scale via its growing 5G network.

As an integrated solution built on industry-standard carrier-grade infrastructure, HPE’s MEC solution can easily be deployed at 5G edge sites, local offices, and on customer premises, bringing computing services closer to the customer. As well as drastically improving data and computing services, this initiative will also encourage innovation that will contribute to the Philippines’ growing digital economy and allow businesses to create new revenue streams with faster connectivity.

“We aim to provide our customers with the best possible experience at the edge and in the cloud across both 5G and fixed-line networks,” said Peter Maquera, Senior Vice President for Globe Business. “HPE has been a trusted technology provider to our infrastructure for many years, so we are delighted to have them as one of our partners in building our innovative edge services portfolio. HPE’s solution is working well in the Globe Telcom Lab and has been designed to be deployed rapidly and at-scale across our growing 5G network.”

HPE’s MEC solution provides telcos with an end-to-end edge application management platform that can be configured across a multi-vendor, multi-cloud environment. The Globe Edge Incubation Lab is powered by industry-leading telco-grade infrastructure, including the HPE ProLiant DL360 and DL380 Gen10 Plus. The solution has been developed in partnership with technology partners, including Intel and Saguna, which enables telcos and their customers to work with their preferred software providers. The integrated solution comes complete with a fully-equipped management platform that enables telcos to build their edge services product catalog with the services of their choice.

“Telcos are in the best position to offer 5G edge services, since they have the resources to provide more than just bandwidth,” said Khai Peng, Vice President and Managing Director of Growth and Emerging Countries at HPE. “HPE’s MEC as-a-service solution enables Globe Telecom to secure its position as a trusted edge services provider—offering differentiated, high-value enterprise services as well as new edge applications for their customers. The HPE MEC solution is highly scalable, secure, and reliable and we expect many telecoms operators will follow Globe’s lead in adopting this platform.”

“Intel is working with Hewlett Packard Enterprise and other partners across wireless, cloud, and compute to help enable 5G networks for new business opportunities and use cases around the world,” said Santhosh Viswanathan, Vice President-Sales, Marketing & Communications Group, and Managing Director – APJ Territory at Intel. “The incubation program, architected on the foundation of Intel® Xeon® processors aims to deliver faster data processing and analysis to customers for making timely decisions, and HPE’s 5G telco solution blueprints developed with Intel help accelerate development across the network.”

The solution will be available on a pay-as-you-go or subscription basis via HPE GreenLake, helping telcos to rollout 5G edge services without upfront capital outlays and to help manage the uncertainty of timing and sizing their 5G deployments. HPE is in discussion with various operators in Asia Pacific to rollout the incubation partnership program. With HPE GreenLake, telcos can grow and expand their network as new users begin consuming edge services and pay monthly based on measured utilization.

Availability

The HPE MEC as-a-service solution is available in the APAC region now.