Verizon touts virtualization achievement, builds toward single digit latency

Verizon has notched another achievement in its network virtualization efforts, with successful tests paving the way for commercialization of edge computing and network slicing technologies. The tests, conducted in California with partners Intel and Nokia, achieved full virtualization of baseband unit functions, the operator announced Wednesday. In the trial, hardware and software were decoupled, enabling more flexibility as to where compute functions could happen within the network. Verizon noted that baseband functions make up the heaviest load of computing on the Radio Access Network (RAN).