American wireless carrier Verizon has announced a new solution in collaboration with Nvidia that enables AI applications to run over Verizon's 5G private network with Mobile Edge Compute (MEC). This solution brings together Verizon's 5G private network and Nvidia's AI Enterprise software platform and Nvidia NIM microservices to deliver real-time AI services on premises for enterprises. The offering supports a wide range of use cases, including Generative AI, Computer Vision, AR/VR, robotics, and IoT.
Also Read: Verizon to Expand Private 5G Network Offerings
Plug-and-Play AI-Powered 5G Platform for Enterprises
"The new AI-powered private 5G platform stack is a Verizon and Nvidia developed infrastructure designed to be plug and play, helping third-party developers to innovate with speed, while also accommodating future evolutions in AI computing and a variety of AI and connectivity applications," the companies said in a joint statement on Tuesday, December 17.
Also Read: Verizon Launches 5G Network APIs for Developers
Scalable Solutions for Rapid Enterprise Innovation
This plug-and-play infrastructure supports scalability and flexibility, allowing enterprises to customise solutions for various needs, from generative AI to autonomous vehicles. The solution is designed to be modular, scalable, and capable of supporting various AI and connectivity applications. Verizon's infrastructure aims to accommodate future AI computing evolution while supporting third-party developers in innovating rapidly. This solution is expected to be demonstrated in early 2025 (February), helping businesses deploy AI applications at scale.
AI-powered private 5G platform
Businesses can benefit from faster decision-making with local AI processing at the edge, eliminating the need to transfer large volumes of data across the internet. Verizon notes that the AI-powered private 5G platform stack can provide these services remotely via portable private network solutions or on a customer's premise with a permanent private network on site.
Also Read: Verizon Leverages AI Tools to Transform Customer Experience
Supporting AI and 5G Growth
“Generative AI, with its predictive capabilities, is poised to be a critical component of digital transformation and future business growth in almost all industries"” said Srini Kalapala, Senior Vice President of Technology and Product Development at Verizon. "We're leveraging our network's unique strengths including private networks and Verizon's global industry leadership in private MEC, combined with Nvidia's AI compute capabilities to enable real-time AI applications that require security, ultra-low latency, and high bandwidth. Our ongoing investment in our network infrastructure means we're uniquely positioned to deliver these powerful AI services at scale, driving the digital transformation and fueling the future growth of businesses worldwide."
"Enterprises everywhere are racing to integrate AI solutions that bring new value to their employees, partners and customers, and can also help them operate with extreme efficiency," said Ronnie Vasishta, senior vice president of telecom at Nvidia. "Verizon's integration of Nvidia's full-stack AI platform into its new solution for running AI workloads on private 5G networks is a big step forward in helping enterprises of all sizes reach their business objectives faster with AI."
Key Use Cases
The stack is being built to handle compute-intensive apps including Generative AI Large Language Models and Vision Language Models, Video streaming, broadcast management, Computer Vision (CV), Augmented/Virtual/Extended Reality (AR/VR/XR), Autonomous Mobile Robot/ Automated Guided Vehicle (AMR/AGV), and IoT.
Verizon, which was the first carrier to launch Mobile Edge Compute, highlighted that this collaboration with Nvidia to power AI workloads on private 5G networks represents a major advancement in enterprise AI capabilities.
Also Read: Verizon Unveils Network in a Box Prototype: Portable Private Network for Events
Economic Potential of AI and 5G Integration
Supporting its new AI solution, Verizon cited two studies: a PwC Global Artificial Intelligence Study reported that 75 percent of business executives view AI as a business advantage and are either using it or planning to implement it, while a McKinsey Global Survey on AI indicated that 50 percent of companies had adopted AI in at least one business function, with 71 percent planning to expand AI use in the near future.
As 5G is projected to contribute USD 12 trillion to the global economy by 2035, Verizon emphasised the growing need for robust networks to support AI workloads.
