Juniper Networks and Saguna Offer a Joint MEC Solution

Saguna announced its joint solution with Juniper Networks - "Juniper Networks and Saguna joined forces to create a complete, pre-integrated Mobile Edge Computing platform, one that delivers MEC functionality with the underlying system elements required for operation within the demanding radio access network (RAN) environment. 

This joint solution allows end-user applications to achieve high bandwidth with ultra-low latency by enabling service providers to deploy services closer to the edge network using an NFV-based cloud computing environment in the mobile RAN. 

The SRAN solution components include:

• Juniper Networks® ACX Series Universal Access Routers, MX Series 3D Universal Edge Routers and QFX Series Switches – These families of switches and routers have the ability to run a Hypervisor environment within them, allowing the MEC Platform Service, API layers and MEC Edge applications to run within the Juniper hardware in the pre-aggregation/IP-aggregation environment. The MEC Edge applications can also run on an external x86-based device.
   
• Juniper Networks vSRX - To ensure security within the sensitive RAN environment, Juniper Networks vSRX (virtual SRX) acts as a Security Gateway for terminating IPsec tunnels from the RAN and an originator to the centralized Security Gateway. The product also provides Firewall / NAT functions for any user traffic that needs to be offloaded locally.
   
• Juniper Networks Contrail Networking – The cloud network automation platform enables mobile operators to manage the MEC platform and Edge applications from a central location. New applications and services can be enabled or disabled on demand, delivering the primary benefits of an SDN overlay network.
   
• Saguna Open-RAN – Saguna’s MEC platform is a fully virtualized software solution. The MEC standard-based platform creates an open ecosystem for 3rd party MEC applications enabling mobile operators to expand their offering as new MEC services are brought to market. It also supports user mobility and core functionality including charging, policy control and lawful interception to ensure seamless integration into existing mobile network architectures.
  

Saguna Open-RAN

See "Juniper Networks and Saguna’s Service Aware RAN Solution Receives Award at Mobile Edge Computing Congress 2015" - here.

Parallel Wireless Enhances PeerApp and Saguna MEC Solution

Parallel Wireless announced a "partnership to enhance the Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) solution provided by PeerApp and Saguna Networks. Saguna’s technology is incorporated in PeerApp’s previously announced MEC solution (see "PeerApp Integrates Saguna's Mobile Edge Solution" - here and "Mobile Edge Computing Group Formed" - here).

To further improve backhaul capacity for the PeerApp/Saguna MEC solution architecture, Parallel Wireless is using its software-defined, multi-mode, multi-band Converged Wireless System (CWS) base station and HetNet Gateway (HNG) orchestrator.

See "Parallel Wireless Reimagines Mobile Content Delivery with PeerApp and Saguna" - here.

ACS Uses Saguna to Bring MEC to Enterprise's Small Cells

  

Saguna Networks announced that the ".. Saguna Open-RAN platform has been selected by ACS, a part of the $1.5Bn+ Pivot Group .. ACS's new Smart Perimeter Enterprise solution leverages Saguna’s Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) software solution to provide locally provisioned value-added voice, data and video services to small-cell-enabled enterprises.

..ACS’s Smart Perimeter Enterprise Solution™ locally provisioned voice, data and video services reduce Enterprise operating cost and can augment, and even replace, traditional tethered and unlicensed solutions. The MEC-based solution offers new revenue streams to the mobile operator, while saving the client money. It leverages the investment in an IP mobile network and licensed spectrum while improving coverage, reducing the cost of small cell deployment, and providing the analytic data required to ensure a consistently high quality of experience (QoE).

Bob Pike [pictured], CTO at ACS commented “ACS is excited to bring the promise of MEC to the enterprise market and deliver new services from the mobile network radio edge. With the Saguna Open-RAN software, creating a complete MEC solution was fast and simple. We have been able to bring to market a fully integrated and secure, managed MEC platform running multiple value-added services with more to come.”

See "Saguna Open-RAN Mobile Edge Computing Platform Powers ACS New Smart Perimeter Enterprise Solution" - here.

Saguna Adds 3rd Party App Support (Based on Intel's DPDK)

Saguna Networks announced a "new release of the Saguna Open-RAN creating an open platform running 3rd party applications into the mobile Radio Access Network (RAN). This release extends the company’s award-winning CDN-Extend solution, which enables CDNs to operate inside the mobile base station .. Operating from the Radio Edge, in close proximity to mobile users, the Saguna Open-RAN enables applications to reduce click-to-play time by up to 50%, stream video smoothly and minimize page download times. The Open-RAN platform also provides real-time network condition status to promote network-aware content optimization".

Related post - "Nokia's Optimization: Video Speed Increases by 50%; Akamai Detects Congestion" - here.

"The Saguna Open-RAN platform creates a cloud-computing environment within the radio access radio using off-the-shelf Intel® Xeon® processor-based servers and Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK) optimized packet processing. The innovative mobile edge computing platform preserves user mobility and core functionalities such as lawful interception, policy control and charging". 

See "Saguna Expands Open-RAN Platform Bringing CDNs, Content Caching and OTTs Together in the Mobile Radio Edge" - here.

PeerApp Integrates Saguna's Mobile Edge Solution

PeerApp announced an "..evolution of its current mobile core offerings to bring Internet content acceleration to the edge of mobile networks with the Saguna Open-RAN leading Mobile Edge Computing platform. The PeerApp Mobile Edge Computing solution will complement the existing PeerApp mobile core solution by bringing optimization functionality such as content caching, DNS (domain name server) caching, and video optimization to the Radio Access Network (RAN). The new solution will deliver hierarchical caching that expands into the RAN.

The PeerApp Mobile Edge Computing solution, powered by Saguna, leverages Network Function Virtualization (NFV) to bring cloud and virtualization concepts to the RAN; this allows applications to run as close as possible to the subscriber. As a result, subscriber Quality of Experience (QoE) – which is particularly challenging with mobile video – is improved. This also changes mobile network operator (MNO) economics by increasing margin and opening monetization opportunities".

See "PeerApp extends its Mobile Content Acceleration Solution to the RAN to help Operators meet Mobile Video Demand; Leverages Saguna Open-RAN" - here.

Optimization Deployments [329]: LG U+[Korea] Tests Nokia's Base Station Cache and Video Optimization

Nokia announced that "LG Uplus has completed a three-month long trial of its Intelligent Network Platform (INP), realizing significant benefits: Up to 35% performance gain in content delivery with reduced latency for big objects of 10-30 MB. This means that mobile users save six seconds download time for a software package that usually takes 20 seconds to download. The trial also showed around 90% operating and capital cost saving in the mobile backhaul link, improved throughput, and a secure yet faster access to enterprise networks via LTE".

Related posts:

• StarHub Trialed Nokia's Liquid Applications at WTA Finals - here
• Rumors: NSN's Liquid Applications Uses Saguna's Technology - here
• Zain [Saudi Arabia] Trials Nokia's Liquid Applications - here

"Nokia’s radio technology, Liquid Applications and professional services were used in the trial. CDNetworks, a global leader in the CDN space, also participated in the trial to evaluate the Liquid Applications’ impact on its commercial CDN service offerings. With these results, LG Uplus will be able to launch even better personalized services on its LTE network .. The LG Uplus INP is currently loaded with rich Liquid Applications features: Content Caching, Video Optimization, CDN Integration, and Enterprise Zone".

See "LG Uplus, Nokia Networks trial Intelligent Network Platform in live LTE network" - here.

Akamai Expands CDN to the RAN with Saguna

     

Saguna Networks expands its base-station caching technology, CODS, with CDN-Extend allowing it to participate in a CDN network.

According to the company, "It is a big step forward towards achieving our goal of creating an Open-RAN platform enabling any server-side application to run inside the RAN. CDN-Extend enables 3rd party CDNs to operate inside the mobile base station".

Saguna provides its technology to base station vendors on OEM basis (see "Rumors: NSN's Liquid Applications Uses Saguna's Technology - here and "Saguna's Optimization and Monetization Technology to be Deployed in 2014 - here).

One of Saguna's investors, Xenia, announced earlier this week (here, Hebrew) that the company raised $2M from a "strategic US investor, a leading player in distributed computing and communications networks, a financial investor from China and some of the owners", based on post-money valuation of $27M.

The first CDN provider partnering with Saguna is Akamai.

The company announced a ".. joint demonstration with Akamai .. showcasing the first Content Delivery Network (CDN) that operates from within the Mobile Base Station .. Getting content as close as possible to the mobile user is crucial to reducing round-trip-time (RTT) and making accurate performance tuning decisions, in order to improve the mobile Internet user experience. Radio network edge placement, in concert with the CDN serving the content, is especially beneficial when trying to optimize HTTPS content, since this type of content cannot be cached or optimized inside the mobile network using standard “transparent” caching methods or optimization techniques".

In the demonstration, Akamai’s Content Delivery Network (CDN) is integrated as a server-side application running on the Saguna CODS Open-RAN platform, which operates inside the mobile base station. Using Saguna CODS CDN-Extend, Akamai’s CDN can cache content for delivery as close as possible to mobile users at the mobile network edge".

See "Saguna and Akamai Showcase the World’s First Content Delivery Network Operating from the Mobile Base Station" - here.

NSN Base Stations to Support ChinaCache CDN; Is Saguna Involved?

Nokia Solutions and Networks announced it has signed a "Memorandum of Understanding  with ChinaCache to incorporate content delivery network (CDN) technologies and innovations into NSN’s Liquid Applications solution. This enables content to be delivered directly from the LTE base station, which translates into faster data throughput and a whole new level of personalization for superior customer experience".

A year ago I mentioned that NSN is rumored to use Saguna's caching and optimization technology for the very same purpose - caching content at NSN's base stations (see "Rumors: NSN's Liquid Applications Uses Saguna's Technology" - here). The rumors also had it that ".. the integrated solution is already in trials by Vodafone and T-Mobile USA", and NSN said then that it collaborates with SK Telecom on its Liquid Applications (here).

See also "Saguna's Optimization and Monetization Technology to be Deployed in 2014" - here.

Saguna refused to comment then, as well as now regarding the new CDN application with ChinaCache.  "ChinaCache is a Chinese CDN provider, very much like Akamai but local to China" was the only comment I got. Hypothetically, Saguna's software infrastructure may be used here to support ChinaCache's CDN service. Or not. See the chart below.

See "NSN, ChinaCache to strengthen capabilities in mobile content delivery" - here.

Saguna's Optimization and Monetization Technology to be Deployed in 2014

Saguna Networks announced that the ".. Saguna CODS cloud-RAN platform will be deployed in multiple Mobile Networks across 4 continents during the first half of 2014 following a series of successful trials during 2013. The deployments will be carried out by Saguna’s partners, which are among the world’s leading network equipment vendors"

Early last year Saguna announced several partnerships: ADVA (here), Ubiquisys (acquired by Cisco, here), FibroLan (here) and (maybe) - NSN (see "Rumors: NSN's Liquid Applications Uses Saguna's Technology" - here).

Lior Fite [pictured], CEO, Saguna Networks said: “During 2013, we worked on integrating the Saguna CODS cloud-RAN platform with most of the leading mobile network vendors. We are now delighted to see increasing numbers of deployments by mobile operators around the globe. Moving forward, we are dedicated to helping mobile operators deliver a wow mobile user experience and find new ways to profit”

" .. By getting the content much closer to the users, Saguna CODS is setting new standards for an ‘always on’ user experience while improving network economics .. Saguna CODS enables mobile operators to increase network monetization through new partnership opportunities and revenue generating services. With the company’s recently released Open-API, mobile operators can use Saguna CODS to deliver content from 3rd party systems including CDNs, optimizers and caching systems, from the 4G Radio Access".

See "Saguna Networks’ Platform to be Deployed in Mobile Networks Worldwide During the First Half of 2014" - here.

Rumors: NSN's Liquid Applications Uses Saguna's Technology

 
Nokia Siemens Networks announced the "Biggest transformation in the role of the base station since launch of GSM 22 years ago .. Rather than being just part of a commoditized data bit-pipe, Nokia Siemens Networks is turning the base station into a place where any type of content and data can not only be stored but also take advantage of knowing where and why people are using their smartphones and tablets. By placing useful information right at the edge of their networks, at the point where people connect, operators can deliver a far better service and increase the efficiency of their network .. The new innovation from Nokia Siemens Networks is called Liquid Applications.

Rumors are that NSN embedded Saguna's caching and optimization technology in the new product. This seems to be the 4th OEM Saguna's CEO mentioned earlier this month (see "Saguna CEO: "We have 4 New OEM licensees for our Mobile Caching Technology"; Going Live on Q2" - here) after the 3 partners I've covered so far: ADVA, FibroLAN, and Ubiquisys.

Rumors are also that the integrated solution is already in trials by Vodafone and T-Mobile USA (NSN also announced that "SK Telecom, Nokia Siemens Networks collaborate on Liquid Applications" - here).

".. Liquid Broadband provides capabilities to intelligently deliver personalized services to subscribers. End-to-end QoS Differentiation enables operators to prioritize mobile broadband traffic and fine-tune services according to user profiles and applications. With the operator CDN, operators can allocate network resources whenever and wherever required to control the delivery of content right down to the user device. This ensures that the content is delivered with the right priority, in the right format and at the right time.

See "Nokia Siemens Networks revolutionizes the mobile base station" - here.

ADVA Takes Saguna to the Mobile Backhaul

   

ADVA's FSP150CC 

As I mentioned last week (see "ADVA Optical Acquires Biran High Tech Advisors" - here), ADVA Optical Networking announced  its new Cachejack technology - integration of Saguna's CODS caching and optimization technology in its mobile backhaul/carrier Ethernet products for LTE.
 
This is the 3rd OEM announced by Saguna's partners, following Ubiquisys and FibroLAN. See also "Saguna CEO: "We have 4 New OEM licensees for our Mobile Caching Technology"; Going Live on Q2" - here.

   

"Cachejack™ is designed to improve mobile user experience and enable location-based services (LBS) through an application-aware radio access network (RAN) and optimize resource utilization by uniquely transporting content directly from the backhaul network straight to the mobile subscriber .. The ADVA Optical Networking solution loads popular content on integrated cache servers in cell site gateways or network interface devices (NID). That content is then delivered from a cache server, which is in closer proximity to the requesting user than the mobile core network".  

 
Christoph Glingener (pictured), CTO, ADVA Optical Networking said: “We made a strategic investment last year in Saguna Networks [see "Saguna's Investor: ADVA Optical Networking ($1M, 10%)" - here] and its technology for optimizing content delivery in mobile backhaul infrastructures, and now we have rapidly integrated this capability into our successful FSP 150 product line .. Improving user experience, enabling new revenue-generating LBS and reducing transport costs are of prime value to today’s mobile operators”

See "ADVA Optical Networking to Demonstrate Unique Cachejack™ Technology at Mobile World Congress 2013" - here.

ADVA Optical Acquires Biran High Tech Advisors

ADVA Optical Networking, who recently invested in Saguna (see "Saguna's Investor: ADVA Optical Networking ($1M, 10%)"), has "acquired LTE technologies developer Biran High Tech Advisors Ltd. for a few million dollars in shares .. founder and CEO Gil Biran [pictured] is a veteran of Israel's telecommunications equipment industry. He founded the company in 2008 to provide outsourcing of R&D in streamlining mobile network operations, with a focus on LTE 4G networks. Biran will head Adva Optical's Israeli operations and in his new capacity as VP business and strategic development, he will seek additional investment opportunities in Israel" according to a recent report by Shmulik Shelach to Globes.

ADVA is expected to announce soon its Cachejack product, an integration of Saguna's caching technology, to its Ethernet backhaul product line.

   

"Biran and Adva Optical CTO Dr. Christoph Glingener [pictured], who was in Israel this week, believe that mobile networks will be software-rich in a few year, and will provide apps to users in the style of Apple Inc.'s (Nasdaq: AAPL) Appstore. Glingener says that Adva Optical wants to double Biran High Tech Advisors' staff of 40 employees over the next two years".

See "Germany's Adva Optical acquires Biran High Tech Advisors" - here.

Ubiquisys Partners with Saguna - Adding Cache to Small-Smart-Cells

 
Saguna Networks exposes one more OEM partner (see "Saguna CEO: "We have 4 New OEM licensees for our Mobile Caching Technology"; Going Live on Q2" - here) - this time it is Ubiquisys, a UK-based vendor of intelligent small cells.

   

Indoor public access small cell

The vendors announced that they are ".. cooperating to provide an integrated content and application acceleration offering based on small cells for mobile network operators. The joint solution combines Saguna Networks’ Saguna CODS for optimizing the delivery of content and applications over mobile networks with Ubiquisys’ smart cell, a range of intelligent 3G/4G/WiFi small cell hotspots with an integrated computing platform based on Intel® architecture". 

   

"The joint solution features transparent popular content caching and DNS caching on the Ubiquisys smart cell, which supports all existing mobile network capabilities, including lawful interception, real-time charging, policy management and more. The solution embeds cloud content and flexible application processing resources at the edge of the mobile network to improve user experience and mobile network economics. The application is distributed and remotely provisioned on smart cells through the Intel AppUp® SMB Service, which is built on the Intel Hybrid Cloud software platform that enables service providers to deliver the benefits of cloud computing on distributed networked devices". See also "The rise of intelligent small cells", by Will Franks (pictured), Ubiquisys - here.
  
See "Saguna Networks and Ubiquisys Partner to Provide Content and Application Acceleration for Small Cells" - here.

Saguna CEO: "We have 4 New OEM licensees for our Mobile Caching Technology"; Going Live on Q2

    

Saguna Networks announced a new OEM customer, FibroLAN - "The integrated solution combines Saguna Networks' Saguna CODS™ for optimizing the delivery of content and applications over mobile networks and FibroLAN's second generation Falcon series for LTE mobile backhaul .. As part of the cooperation, FibroLAN has licensed the Saguna CODS software from Saguna Networks". See "Saguna Networks and FibroLAN Cooperate to Deliver OTT Content and Application Acceleration to the Mobile Backhaul'" - here.

I covered Saguna before ("Saguna's Investor: ADVA Optical Networking ($1M, 10%)" - here), and I used this opportunity to ask Lior Fite (pictured), Founder and CEO, for an update on Saguna's business:

"In the last year we have managed to successfully complete with our partners and customers live network trials in Europe, US and Asia. We have added 4 new equipment vendors as licensees of our technology, and we expect to see our first customers (both cell-site-GW and Base-Stations) going to GA availability of new Smart RAN systems during Q2 2013. Besides adding new licensees during 2013 we will also focus on harnessing our technology to create new monetization options with first focus on CDN service in the model PAAS.

The result from our field trials leave no room for doubt demonstrating the following performance gains: Better users experience (Shorting the time any web page download by 10% to 20%, Smooth and stall free video watching) and Better network economics (Enabling 50% more capacity over the same back haul network, 15% to 20% more packets flowing over the same RF interface)"

Saguna's Investor: ADVA Optical Networking ($1M, 10%)

Earlier this month I reported on Saguna Networks' $3M funding round (here), led by a "German communications equipment supplier". The mystery is solved now as ADVA Optical Networking announced ".. it has made a strategic investment inSaguna Networks and its Content Optimization Delivery Systems (CODS) technology .. With this investment, on a fully diluted basis, ADVA Optical Networking acquired a 10% stake in Saguna Networks".

  

Brian Protiva (pictured), CEO, ADVA Optical Networking said: “.. Based on the strong working relationship we’ve developed with Saguna Networks, our USD 1 million investment clearly highlights our belief in its technology and in our shared vision for mobile networks. People want mobile content wherever they are and whenever they need it. To achieve this, cell site caching and mobile optimization are critical. This not only guarantees a greater user experience but also enables mobile operators to harness their existing infrastructures and drive profitability. That’s why we’re combining our technologies to build a totally unique solution”.

See also "Is Cache King in Mobile Networks?" - here.

See "ADVA Optical Networking Makes Strategic Investment in Saguna Networks" - here.

RAN Optimization Saguna Raised $3M

Saguna Networks raised $3M in a round led by a [German, according to The Marker - here] communications equipment supplier and its existing investors, including Xenia Venture Capital Ltd (announcement - here - Hebrew).

Saguna develops caching and optimization technology for radio access networks. See "[Heavy Reading]: Mobile Caching - 'part of larger traffic management solutions'" - here.

My sources say that several global equipment vendors are in the process of integrating its technology into their base stations/backhaul products. One of which is the above mentioned vendor who led the current round.

See "Mobile Internet co Saguna Networks raises $3m" - here.

[Heavy Reading]: Mobile Caching - "part of larger traffic management solutions"

A new report by Aditya Kishore (pictured, see also "LTE will enable pushing cache into the base stations" - here), Senior Analyst, Heavy Reading looks at mobile data growth and caching solutions. 

  

"In a sense, the mobile caching space is not a separate market as much as it is an extension of other, adjacent markets. Caching is unlikely to be deployed on a mobile network in isolation; we anticipate most solutions will be integrated, partnered or part of larger traffic management solutions. Mobile optimization, network infrastructure, policy and RAN intelligence-type capabilities will all be leveraged alongside caching to better manage network traffic. This is evidenced by the types of vendors that are targeting this market".

"Broadly speaking, mobile caching vendors can be categorized into four groups, based on their history and the types of solutions they offer. Individual vendors within the same grouping have similar objectives, strategies and opinions. Unsurprisingly, they also demonstrate many similar strengths and weaknesses, though they do have individual attributes".

Posts related to companies mentioned in the table below, and their cache solutions: PeerApp, Qwilt, Saguna, Bytemobile, Mobixell, Vantrix, Velocix, BlueCoat, Verivue, Huawei,   

See "Crossing the Gi: Will Edge Caching Be the Key to Managing Mobile Traffic?" - here.

Saguna/Jet-Stream: Joint Acceleration and CDN Solution for Mobile Networks

     

Saguna's Solution
Architecture

Saguna Networks (see "Saguna (Mobile RAN Optimization) Raised $1.5M" here) and Jet-Stream announced a ".. strategic collaboration between the two companies on the delivery of federated Content Delivery Network solutions for mobile networks .. providing an integrated offering that combines Saguna Networks’ Saguna CODS™ for optimizing the delivery cost of web content and applications over mobile networks and Jet-Stream’s VideoExchange™ Content Delivery Network technology".

"The joint offering allows mobile network operators to leverage their RAN investment into an Intelligent Network that can actively manage and deliver content to mobile subscribers directly from the network edge. This innovative solution offers new monetization opportunities for mobile network operators and creates a CDN network that delivers valuable quality of experience that matters to content owners and subscribers".

Lior Fite (pictured), CEO at Saguna Networks said: “.. Mobile operators using our joint solution can now actively participate in the OTT market and offer CDN services that guarantee the best possible view experience for subscribers”.

See "Joint solution allows mobile operators to monetize content delivery for best available viewing experience" - here.

See also "" - here.

Saguna (Mobile RAN Optimization) Raised $1.5M

 

Saguna, a vendor of mobile caching solutions, has "raised $1.5 million from private investors at a company value of $4.5 million, after money .. Incubator Xenia Venture Capital Ltd. owns 18.4% of Saguna".

Saguna CODS™ software elements (CODS-AN™ and CODS-MR™) are located within the mobile core network and the RAN, totally transparent to all network layers (transport, mobility, service and to terminal devices), perform the following main functions:

1. Pushing internet traffic directly to base-station locations thus by-passing expensive Mobile - Core elements and freeing the backhaul bottlenecks. 
2. Caching frequently used files at the base station location
3. Optimizing content delivery over the air interface by implementing proprietary patented Cross Layer Optimization technology

See story by Yehudit Selam in Israeli new site, Globes - "Mobile Internet co Saguna Networks raises $1.5m" - here.