DISH partners with IBM for cloud-native 5G network

DISH networks has partnered with computer hardware company IBM to develop the first greenfield cloud-native 5G network in the United States. The company will use IBM’s AI-powered automation to help develop the network. 

DISH has engaged IBM Global Business Services to use IBM Cloud Pak for Network Automation software with DISH’s 5G network architecture. Central to this is the intent-based orchestration functionality designed to stitch hardware and software resources together more seamlessly and efficiently, expected to help DISH make network slicing possible and accelerate the creation and delivery of new services, DISH said in a statement. 

IBM’s orchestration solutions designed to leverage AI, automation, and machine learning

Marc Rouanne, Chief Network Officer, DISH Wireless, said: “Our 5G build is unique in that we are truly creating a ‘network of networks,’ where each enterprise can custom-tailor a network slice or group of slices to achieve their specific business needs. IBM’s orchestration solutions are designed to leverage AI, automation, and machine learning to not only make these slices possible but to help them adapt over time as customer use evolves,” said Marc Rouanne, chief network officer, DISH Wireless. 

“With IBM, DISH is combining the speed and latency advances of 5G with the customization and intelligence of the cloud, and the result will be a paradigm shift for small businesses, large enterprises, and the broader wireless industry,” he added. 

According to DISH, the tools will make network slicing possible and accelerate the creation and delivery of new services. In addition, IBM will also help DISH manage its customer service and sales systems, offering "better pricing and billing offers for advanced, modern and highly dynamic network services."

IBM and DISH’s involvement with telecoms 

With the development of 5G services, IBM is currently also working with telcos such as Vodafone, Bharti Airtel, Telefonica, AT&T, and Verizon, whilst DISH is working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) on developing its 5G network.