SK Telecom (SKT) and Ericsson have successfully gone live with bare-metal cloud-native 5G network, using the Swedish vendor’s 5G Core and Cloud Native Infrastructure (CNIS). In a press release regarding the development it was claimed that the live SKT 5G network ‘allows for rapid introduction of new functions and services, and greatly improves service performance’. SKT’s cloud-native 5G core is reportedly expected to improve traffic processing significantly compared to existing physical-based cores by applying the latest technologies related to packet acceleration processing, route optimisation, and multi-flow control for ultra-high-speed and large-capacity 5G services.
Park Jong-kwan, VP, Head of Infra Tech at SK, was cited as saying of the matter: ‘Based on the commercialisation of the cloud-native-based 5G core, we have laid the foundation to provide cutting-edge ICT services more efficiently and stably. We will continue to develop and apply the next-generation network technology that will become this.’ Monica Zethzon, Head of Solution Area Packet Core at Ericsson, added: ‘With the bare-metal cloud-native 5G Core solution, SKT is reconfirming its ambitions to lead the way in creating a future-focused, versatile 5G network. The efficiency and performance gains to the 5G Core network that comes from this new Cloud Native Infrastructure will be a strong foundation for innovative use cases and new services for enterprises and consumers.’