2024年云端网络优势：电信公司云改数转的原因及策略报告（英文版 ）

Telco Cloud Transformation: Key Drivers and Benefits

Introduction

A mobile-telecoms revolution is underway, similar to the transition from mainframes to personal computers in the 1980s and the shift from traditional software to cloud-based apps today. This transformation involves moving network functions from physical servers to software running in the cloud, known as "telco cloud transformation."

Key Players and Investments

Several major telecommunications operators (telcos) are investing heavily in cloud-based networks:

• Dish: Announced a partnership with AWS to build a cloud-native 5G network, planning to spend $10 billion by 2025.
• AT&T: Moving its 5G mobile network to Microsoft’s Azure, aiming to virtualize 75% of its network by 2020 and complete the transition within three years.
• O2 Telefónica: Partnering with Google Cloud and Ericsson to transition its 5G core network in Germany, serving approximately 47 million mobile subscribers.

Network Transformation Phases

The journey towards telco cloud transformation can be categorized into four phases:

1. Network 1.0: Physical networks with separate hardware for each network function.
2. Network 2.0: Virtualized networks where physical equipment is converted to virtualized network functions.
3. Network 3.0: Cloud-native networks using containerized and cloud-native implementations.
4. Network 4.0: AI-based networks with self-healing and sustainable network architectures.

Key Benefits of Telco Cloud

• Automation and Efficiency: Cloud-native networks enable highly available and auto-scaled network functions, reducing operational costs.
• Scalability: Cloud resources can be scaled quickly to meet new demands, crucial for both greenfield and brownfield operators.
• Reliability and Performance: High-bandwidth and low-latency 5G networks enhance the performance of various applications, including smart factories, private 5G networks, predictive maintenance, AR/VR, and remote surgeries.
• Cost Savings: Cloud infrastructure reduces CAPEX and OPEX while improving resource utilization and resilience.

Challenges and Considerations

• Monetization: There is still work to be done in monetizing 5G services for enterprises and consumers.
• Reliability: Ensuring the reliability of running network functions on cloud infrastructure remains a challenge.
• Technical and Organizational Transformation: Transitioning to cloud-native networks requires significant cultural changes within organizations.

Future Outlook

Telco cloud is expected to grow significantly over the next five years:

• Growth Projections: 31% of telco network capacity currently serviced by cloud-based platforms is expected to increase to 46% by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%.
• Deployment Models: Private cloud is the most preferred deployment model, with 90% of telcos preferring private cloud across network domains.

Conclusion

The transition to telco cloud offers substantial business and sustainability benefits, making it a critical area of focus for telcos. Despite challenges, the potential rewards are too significant to ignore.