Nokia, Skolkovo Foundation to expand mobile edge computing application ecosystem in Russia

NEW DELHI: Finland based telecom giant Nokia and the Skolkovo Foundation are to expand the Mobile Edge Computing ecosystem through a collaboration that will advance the development of an array of innovative applications that will allow operators to benefit from new revenue streams as they enrich the mobile customer experience.

Nokia's Mobile Edge Computing platform delivers cloud computing capabilities that allow network processing functions and applications to be hosted closer to users. One particular MEC application allows reduces network congestion to be reduced at high-traffic events such as music concerts and sports games where thousands of subscribers might be accessing the network at the same time to share or view content.

Under a collaboration agreement, Nokia and Skolkovo will work within Skolkovo's startup community. This is a platform enabling registered software teams to collaborate with Russian and international companies to fund and realize their projects in order to advance the innovation of applications, such as video, that can be used with the Nokia Mobile Edge Computing platform. Nokia and Skolkovo will select and award funding for new application projects that will allow operators and event owners to tailor the end-user experience.

Nokia and Skolkovo are already conducting research and development projects on topics including 4G and 5G networks, cloud and cloud RAN, 4G LTE core and IoT. The companies aim to open a research and development facility at the Skolkovo Innovation Center to allow members of the mobile ecosystem to optimize and advance services, applications and network infrastructure to meet future mobile data demand in Russia and around the globe.

Igor Bogachev, Vice-President, Executive Director of Information Technology Cluster, Skolkovo Foundation, said: "The Skolkovo Foundation's IT Cluster together with our partners leads an integrated development and support program for innovative companies. Nokia has been a key partner of the Foundation since 2011. By participating in Nokia's Mobile Edge Computing international initiative Russian startups will receive the help needed to advance to a new technological level and gain success in global markets."

JP Takala, head of East Europe market unit at Nokia, said: "Working with the Skolkovo Foundation on this Mobile Edge Computing initiative will allow us to bring software startups together with their audience, giving them a real understanding of market demand. As a result, we can ensure that the applications promoted under the program will enhance our offer to a wide assortment of customers."

Nokia is a a founding member of the Mobile Edge Computing ETSI Industry Specification Group, which promotes an open environment around IT and cloud computing capabilities within the Radio Access Network. Nokia's Mobile Edge Computing solution is a software function that leverages the benefits of the telco cloud to deliver flexibility, scalability and efficiency to multiple base station sites.