Qualcomm collaborates with Microsoft to transform enterprise connectivity with end-to-end 5G private network solution

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. revealed a collaboration with Microsoft – working with 5G Private Network Partner Ecosystem Program members – designed to transform enterprise connectivity with the introduction of an end-to-end, easy-to-deploy, scalable 5G private network solution. Bringing together Qualcomm Technologies’ ecosystem and global technology leadership in 5G, infrastructure, and devices along with Microsoft’s leadership across enterprise cloud – this collaboration simplifies and accelerates 5G private network deployments by introducing a unique chip-to-cloud solution.

As factories digitize and transform, and industries undergo digital transformation, advanced solutions and critical connectivity infrastructures are vital to provide the framework needed for modern enterprise applications – from robotics and manufacturing, to artificial intelligence, to augmented reality and beyond.  This solution is realized through pre-validated private connectivity architectures that combine Qualcomm® 5G technologies and hardware ecosystem with Azure private multi-access edge compute (private MEC), including Azure Private 5G Core.

Today, existing private mobile network solutions can take several months to deploy. With this transformative end-to-end offering, the timeline becomes substantially shorter making it easier for businesses and entities to adopt private 5G enterprise networking. With Qualcomm® Private Network RAN Automation and Azure private MEC, the companies can avoid the challenges and costs incurred for vendor selection, integration, management, performance monitoring, scaling and more. The unique solution brings together leading hardware and software solutions and provides the opportunity for massive scalability, ultimately accelerating the global adoption of 5G private networks.

“In an increasingly digital economy, connectivity infrastructure is vital to provide the support needed for modern enterprise applications. Our collaboration with Microsoft offers a unique, cost-effective, and efficient approach in designing, deploying, operating, and monitoring 5G private networks. By reducing barriers like time, money, and resources, we are confident that our joint end-to-end offering will accelerate the global adoption of companies integrating private networks into their practices,” said Durga Malladi, senior vice president and general manager, 5G, mobile broadband and infrastructure, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

“This collaboration between Microsoft and Qualcomm Technologies will reduce adoption barriers and operating costs for high performance 5G connectivity solutions serving global enterprises. RAN-Core automation and chip-to-cloud system observability for deployment and operation of large scale private mobile networks that will massively simplify the procurement, deployment, and management of intelligent 5G edges for a broad range of industries and use cases,” said Shriraj Gaglani, GM for Azure for Operators at Microsoft.

At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the solution will be available for demonstrations showing several technologies including Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR), 5G AI Boxes, IP cameras, lidars, and more. Key components of the solution include the following:  

• Qualcomm Private Networks RAN Automation, showcasing path to zero touch provisioning and operations with tailored profiles per industry verticals and 5G use cases, simplifying deployment and management of large scale 5G Private Networks.
• The Azure private multi-access compute (MEC) solution includes Azure Private 5G Core and Azure Stack Edge that support cloud-based delivery models and securely manages services from a unified cloud management across global sites. This highly customizable solution is the foundation for operators and system integrators to choose the right connectivity and edge services to meet enterprise needs.
• Qualcomm Technologies’ powered 5G devices and pre-validated RAN ecosystem solutions based on Qualcomm® FSM100 5G RAN Platform simplifying integration complexity, deliver higher radio performance and offering the flexibility with a broad range of radio vendors and devices to choose the right connectivity options to meet enterprise needs.