Nokia, DOCOMO and NTT Partner to Develop In-network Computing Use Cases with Nokia 5G Core SaaS #MWC2024

• Nokia 5G Core SaaS will play key role for the convergence of mobile network and computing alongside the In-network Service Acceleration Platform [ISAP], a part of the Inclusive Core architecture co-developed by DOCOMO and NTT.
• DOCOMO will provide the expertise and experience in mobile network development and Metaverse application [MetaMe]. NTT will provide the technology of the In-network compute Service Acceleration Platform [ISAP].

ESPOO - Nokia announced that DOCOMO and NTT will use Nokia’s 5G Core Software as a Service (SaaS) in collaboration with NTT’s In-network Service Acceleration Platform [ISAP]. The collaboration is aimed at developing new use cases and the architecture for in-network computing in the next generation mobile network, including applications for video and AI-intensive augmented reality, as well as the Metaverse.

According to Nokia, DOCOMO and NTT will use Nokia’s 5G Core SaaS on-demand through a subscription that facilitates rapid service creation and delivery; and reduces the time spent on software installation, configuration, and on-site software maintenance and updates.
In their joint work, Nokia’s 5G Core SaaS will oversee on-demand network resource management, while NTT’s ISAP will orchestrate the network and compute resource management. Nokia’s Network Exposure Function (NEF), part of Core SaaS, will also support ISAP management system in efficiently scaling the roll out of new applications.

Nokia’s SaaS business grew sharply in 2023 from 2022, finishing last year with around 40 customers, most of which are in commercial production.

Mark Bunn, Senior Vice President, Cloud and Network Services, at Nokia said: "NTT’s compelling ISAP technology is well-placed to deliver even more innovative use-case solutions, and Nokia looks forward to jointly advancing that work through its on-demand, Core SaaS solution and pay-as-you-grow commercial model.”

Hiroyuki Oto, Senior Vice President, General manager of 6G Network Innovation Department, at DOCOMO said: “We are delighted to have demonstrated in-network computing for the future network in collaboration with DOCOMO, NTT and Nokia's 5G Core SaaS. Through our collaboration, we look forward to exploring use cases and architectures for In-network computing and promoting 6G global standardization.”