Singtel and Intel last Friday unveiled their 5G Multi-access Edge Compute (MEC) incubation programme that will enable companies to seamlessly adopt 5G and deploy applications that need low-latency processing at the edge.
Already, there are 5G use cases – developed in collaboration with Singtel and Intel – that enterprises can tap into, including ready-to-deploy applications for rapid trials and proof of concepts for research and development.
One of the first solutions to be trialled was an accelerated content delivery solution. Initial trials have shown a significant reduction in the time needed to load videos - by up to 46% on 5G Edge MEC compared to 4G with public cloud. Customers who operate digital twin technology stand to benefit from this solution which enables higher video resolution and increases the accuracy of real-time video analytics for mission critical use-cases. The solution, soon to be launched commercially, also enables enterprises to identify potential use cases in areas like mixed reality, cloud gaming, metaverse.
The incubation programme is powered by Intel’s 4th Gen Xeon Scalable processors and Intel Data Center GPU, codenamed Ponte Vecchio and supported by Singtel’s Paragon, a one-stop orchestration platform for 5G edge computing and cloud services, which will simplify the adoption of these 5G services for enterprises.
The collaboration will focus on developing the application and ecosystems to deliver transformational enterprise and consumer use cases like high-definition content delivery, cloud gaming, video analytics, virtual-augmented-mixed reality and metaverse.
“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,” said Bill Chang, CEO of the group enterprise and regional data centre business at Singtel.
He added: “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.”
Other ecosystem use cases now on trial under the Singtel-Intel incubation programme include:
- Video analytics AI solution, Ipsotek’s VISuite AI software converts video data into actionable intelligence to optimise real-time situational awareness and enables users to efficiently manage automatically generated alarms in real-time for enhanced safety at their worksites. Leveraging Singtel’s 5G Network and Paragon, Intel Xeon platforms for Edge, and Axis analytics, VISuite AI has the ability to detect workers at risk and differentiate between objects and humans, including if they are not donned in the appropriate Personal Protection Equipment.
- With HTC’s integrated mixed reality solution and private network, Singtel’s 5G Network and Paragon, the companies developed a 5G real-time mixed reality solution that integrates 5G, virtual reality and 3D visualisation. This offers a highly efficient way of collaborating with real-time data streaming, visualisation, review and validation to support different verticals for real-time workspace collaboration. HTC also offers Private Network solutions powered by Intel FlexRAN.
- With the escalating demand for high-performance computing capabilities from cloud to edge, it is essential to deploy energy-saving technologies to remain sustainable. Quanta worked with Intel to develop QCT's liquid cooling solution that can optimise performance, lowering the CPU temperature by 11.8 C and enhance power savings. It is now being trialled at Singtel Edge sites, with the aim of enabling a more sustainable edge compute solution for enterprises.
Singtel and Intel are inviting solution providers who have cutting-edge 5G applications to join the programme and the incubator for rapid trials and pilots. As more solution providers join the ecosystem, enterprises will have access to a greater range of capabilities and solutions to hone their operations.
Christoph Schell, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Intel 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. 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.“
