New Dell PowerEdge server has breakthrough performance, lowers costs for telecom, enterprise edge use cases

Dell Technologies has unveiled the new Dell PowerEdge XR8720t, designed to transform edge and telecom infrastructure by delivering unprecedented performance and connectivity, especially for Open RAN and Cloud RAN deployments.  

According to Dell Technologies, the need for multiserver deployments has traditionally hindered the adoption of Cloud RAN and advanced edge computing, burdening organisations with higher costs, operational complexity, space issues and power demands. Inefficiencies and scalability limitations make it difficult to meet the real-time performance needs of next-generation applications.  

The Dell PowerEdge XR8720t eliminates these barriers as the industry’s first single-server solution for Cloud RAN, streamlining infrastructure, boosting performance and efficiency, and significantly reducing total cost of ownership for modern network and edge deployments. 

This compute sled makes it easier for telecommunications providers to support performance-intensive applications, reduce costs and conduct AI at the edge. Enterprises across telecom, retail, defense and manufacturing will find this useful to drive AI, ML and other compute intensive workloads, as well as precision-driven tasks that require advanced synchronisation. 

The PowerEdge XR8720t compute sled integrates seamlessly with the Dell PowerEdge XR8000 platform, and is purpose-built to address the performance challenges that have historically hindered infrastructure adoption in challenging environments. With enhanced processing power and increased connectivity, the server enables robust support for high-demand applications while streamlining deployments and lowering operational costs.  

Exceptional performance and scalability 

The PowerEdge XR8720t eliminates the performance gaps between Cloud and traditional RAN architecture, offering more than double the processing power compared to the previous generation. Up to 72 cores and 24 SFP28 connectivity ports are supported in a compact 2U configuration.* The single-server consolidation reduces deployment time, operational complexity and maintenance requirements compared to multiserver architectures.

Advanced telecom features

Powered by Intel Xeon 6 SoC with integrated Intel vRAN Boost and the Intel Ethernet E830-XXVDA8F networking technology, the PowerEdge XR8720t features a hardware-enhanced timing follower for high-precision timing synchronisation across networks. With peer-to-peer (PTP), PTM and SyncE support, the XR8720t delivers the processing power, the port density (24x SFP28) and network bandwidth (600 GbE) required for demanding Cloud RAN workloads. Its compact 430 mm depth is ideal for space-constrained cell site deployments. 

AI-ready solution

The server unlocks AI capabilities for CPU-based workloads, making advanced edge AI use cases like agentic AI, real-time analytics and machine learning (ML) possible. Its flexible configuration also allows possible support for GPUs upon request, further extending the AI potential.

Rugged, modular design

Engineered for extreme conditions, the XR8720t operates in temperatures ranging from -5°C to 55°C. Its modular design allows for easy maintenance and upgrades in any environment. This Network Equipment-Building System (NEBS) Level 3-compliant server includes features like front-accessible input/output (I/O) that reduce downtime and operational complexity. Built for extended durability and reliability for telecom, edge and military applications, the system’s intelligent cooling design optimises cooling performance in tight spaces.  

Dennis Hoffman, Senior VP, Dell Technologies said: "The Dell PowerEdge XR8720t represents a significant step forward in telecom and edge infrastructure innovation. As a first platform of its kind, it is engineered to meet the rigorous demands of Open RAN and Cloud RAN deployments while delivering exceptional performance and scalability for edge workloads. This breakthrough allows organisations to consolidate workloads that once required multiple systems, simplifying infrastructure and paving the way for more powerful, efficient and AI-ready networks."  

Commented Regis Paquette, SVP Global Sales Alliances, Channels & Industry verticals, Canonical: Combining Canonical’s infrastructure software stack – based on Ubuntu, MicroCloud, and Kubernetes – with the robust performance of the Dell PowerEdge XR8720t provides a powerful and flexible foundation for organisations to rapidly develop and deploy workloads for RAN and edge. This collaboration simplifies the path to production and enables telcos, application providers, and enterprises to accelerate innovation and securely unlock the full potential of data at the edge." 

Stated Oscar Toorell, Head of Technology Cloud RAN, Ericsson: “Our collaboration with Dell on the PowerEdge XR8720t showcases how industry leaders can combine strengths to accelerate the shift to cloud-based networks. By integrating Intel Xeon 6 SoC that supports up to 72 cores with integrated Intel vRAN Boost accelerator with Dell’s robust, scalable infrastructure, we’ve created a Cloud RAN solution designed to meet the rigorous performance and scalability demands of Cloud RAN deployments. This collaboration builds on Ericsson’s decades-long legacy of telecom innovation, enabling service providers to deploy faster, scale efficiently and unlock the full potential of edge and RAN workloads.”  

Honoré LaBourdette, VP, Global Telecommunications Ecosystem, Red Hat said: “The future of RAN and edge computing is built on a foundation of open source innovation and powerful, reliable hardware. Our collaboration with Dell Technologies brings together Red Hat's industry-leading enterprise open source platforms with the advanced capabilities of the PowerEdge XR8720t. This combination empowers organisations to deploy scalable, secure, and flexible edge solutions, turning real-time data into intelligent action and accelerating progress across industries. Together, we are providing the tools needed to build what's next for RAN and edge.”

Ji-Yun Seol, Vice President and Head of Product Strategy, Networks Business, Samsung Electronics commented: "Samsung has been pioneering network virtualisation from early on, and our success on this journey is built on a robust partner ecosystem, with valued partners including Dell. Through early testing and validation, we have showcased industry-leading performance and capabilities of Samsung vRAN solution on the Dell PowerEdge XR8720t, powered by Intel Xeon 6. Harnessing the power of software-based networks, we are committed to delivering advanced solutions that drive operational agility and cost efficiency today, while paving the way for the future of telecommunications in the AI era."

Keith Basil, VP and GM Edge Business Unit, Suse stated: “Our long-standing partnership with Dell Technologies continues to drive innovation for the telco industry. We are excited that SUSE Telco Cloud is one of the first telco cloud platforms to fully support the new Dell PowerEdge XR8720t server. Together they provide the robust, secure, efficient and high-performance foundation that Communication Service Providers need to confidently deploy their most critical applications, in particular Cloud RAN, in any environment, including dense urban areas and Massive MIMO use cases."

Said Francisco Martín Pignatelli, Head of Open RAN, Vodafone: “(The) Open RAN network relies on a zero-touch, highly automated fabric that is both efficient and powerful. The Dell PowerEdge XR8720t supports this approach. With its single-server DU consolidation powered by the Intel Xeon 6 SoC and leading fronthaul port capacity, it promises to reduce total cost of ownership and supports the development of scalable, sustainable networks.”

Darrell Jordan-Smith, Chief Revenue Officer, Wind River added: “As industries race to monetise edge AI, they need infrastructure that can perform reliably under the most demanding conditions. Pairing Wind River’s mission-critical software with the Dell PowerEdge XR8720t platform delivers exactly that, turning edge data into real-time insights and enabling clients to launch new services faster, safer, and at scale.”

DU stands for Dynamic Utilization, MIMO for multiple-input, multiple-output, while Soc refers to system on a chip. 

Details

The Dell PowerEdge XR8720t will be globally available in Q126. 

*Based on internal analysis, September 2025.