Updates to the Telecom Infra Project
Since we launched the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) earlier this year with 30 original member companies, we have received an overwhelming amount of interest from operators, infrastructure providers, system integrators, and other technology companies to join the project. Alongside many other new members who have joined since launch, today we are excited to welcome Axiata Digital, Indosat, MTN Group, Telefonica, Vodafone, Acacia, ADVA, BlueStream, Broadcom,Coriant, Deloitte, Juniper Networks, and Lumentum.
We’ve also formed the TIP Board of Directors that includes Dr. Alex Choi of SK Telecom (TIP Chairman), Axel Clauberg of Deutsche Telekom AG, Ashish Kelkar of Facebook (TIP Secretary and Treasurer), Lynn Comp of Intel, and Henri Tervonen of Nokia. The Board of Directors sets the strategic mission and focus for TIP and charters the project groups. Additionally, they are responsible for the approval and certification of TIP project group outputs.
Project Groups
In addition, we are sharing the first set of technical project groups and chairs. The project groups were created to support three strategic network areas: Access, Backhaul and Core & Management. Within each area, the initial set of project groups will address some of the most pressing industry needs including connecting the unconnected or underserved populations, and augmenting the development of powerful new technologies like 5G that will pave the way for better connectivity and richer services. Specifications and designs are contributed to TIP through the TIP project groups. We expect to open enrollment and provide a summary scope for each of these initial project groups in the coming weeks.
Access
System integration and site optimization – Chaired by SK Telecom
New integration via innovative, cost-effective and efficient end-to-end solutions that address rural and urban regions difficult to serve profitably.
Unbundled solutions – Co-chaired by SK Telecom and Nokia
Taking a fresh look at access, specifically through a cost-effective approach for low-power, low-maintenance solutions.
Media-friendly solutions – Chaired by Intel
Focusing on methods to increase effective throughput and further enhance the mobile user experience by bringing compute and storage capacity closer to the network edge.
Backhaul
High-frequency autonomic access – Chaired by Facebook
Defining thin and extensible software stack to autonomously coordinate routing, addressing and security related functions in packet-switched IPv6 networks.
Open optical packet transport – Co-chaired by Facebook and Equinix
Defining Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) open packet transport architecture that triggers new pace of technology innovation and flexibility, and avoids implementation lock-ins.
Core and Management
Core network optimization – Chaired by Intel
New innovation through disaggregation of traditional telecom core network via deconstructing traditionally bundled components.
Greenfield telecom networks – Co-chaired by Nokia, Facebook and Deutsche Telekom
Accelerating operator-friendly evolution towards a pure and efficient IT-based network architecture via greenfield solutions designed from the ground up.
Contributions
Also, over the last several weeks, Facebook announced new connectivity systems such as Terragraph, ARIES and Open/R, focused on improving the speed, efficiency, and quality of internet connectivity around the world. Facebook will continue to iterate on these projects with the ultimate goal of contributing them to TIP project groups and the broader community.
We’re excited about the momentum behind TIP and look forward to sharing more details on the project groups and more technology contributions soon. If you are interested in getting involved, you can reach out here. Stay tuned for more!