Cisco to build virtualised 5G-ready mobile network with Rakuten Mobile Network

Cisco has announced details of its innovation blueprint with Rakuten Mobile Network (RMN) to build the world's first end-to-end fully virtualised, cloud native mobile network, ready for 5G.

RMN, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rakuten, a global player in Internet services and soon to be operator of Japan's newest mobile network, announced on February 12 it plans to launch commercial services via its new mobile network in October 2019 with a cloud-native architecture that is fully virtualised from radio access to core, with end-to-end automation for both network operations and services.

The foundation of the new Rakuten Mobile Network architecture and telco-cloud will use Cisco software and services, and routing and switching hardware. Cisco delivered technology from its cloud, IT and service provider businesses, as well as engineering, multivendor system integration, security and operations expertise from Cisco Customer Experience to deliver in record time what was considered close to impossible less than eight months ago.

Cisco Customer Experience is the primary systems integrator for the 5G-ready cloud native architecture design and the deployment of RMN's virtualised telco-cloud.

Key contributions feature:
  • Fully virtualised network with a common and distributed telco-cloud with NFVI
  • Multi-access edge computing
  • 5G-ready system architecture
  • 5G-enabled IPv6 transport/mobile backhaul
  • Software-defined networking (SDN)-enabled centralised and regional data centre fabrics for 5G
  • End-to-end infrastructure and service automation
Cisco's networking model incorporating these technologies will enable RMN to deliver a broad suite of services including consumer mobile, the Internet of Things (IoT), rich media and low-latency services including augmented and virtual reality.

"Rakuten is taking a cutting-edge approach to mobile networking, modelling a new type of network that is software-powered and automated from top to bottom," said Tareq Amin, CTO, Rakuten Mobile Network.

"With this design approach we mapped out with Cisco and a carefully-selected vendor ecosystem, we believe we can offer high-value services at more affordable costs, helping our customers to share the true benefits of cloud innovation."

"With the launch of this network faster than any operator has accomplished before, the world sees a shining example of the power of cloud and automation for the future of mobility," said Jonathan Davidson, Senior VP and GM, Service Provider Business, Cisco.

"Our collaboration from concept to launch shows the breadth of Cisco to support Rakuten in designing a zero touch, fully automated, and software-driven mobile telco cloud that can serve millions of subscribers, and be ready for 5G."

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