Seamster, a new consortium, is creating what it describes as an open enterprise edge ecosystem focused on accelerating the deployment of private and hybrid 5G networks.
MobiledgeX, a startup Deutsch Telekom formed in late 2017, operates a cloud-based platform called Edge Cloud. It created Seamster to establish an “edge-to-edge value chain.” Because Edge Cloud enables mission-critical applications that use MobiledgeX’s distributed edge service APIs, the company has already created its own broad enterprise edge ecosystem.
Seamster now aims to bring a wider enterprise edge ecosystem together. Specifically, its focus is for members to collectively discover use cases and adoption blueprints with a sustainable economic model. They achieve this by collaborating, partnering and sharing research. The aim is to bring 5G and other advanced communications technology, along with high-performance compute, to emerging enterprise solutions that use robotics, image recognition, machine learning and augmented reality. in verticals such as retail, health care, smart cities, manufacturing and gaming.
In forming Seamster, MobiledgeX has recruited hardware and software providers, system integrators, application developers and mobile network operators. Accedian, Dell EMC, Infosys, Quanta Cloud Technology (QCT), and Stratacache are on board at launch. So are Topio Networks, VMware, Wind River and World Wide Technology (WWT). Additional members will come forward next month, according to Seamster participants.
Key in creating an “open” enterprise edge ecosystem will include mobile operators from around the world. AT&T and Intel are expected to join Seamster, though neither has officially commented. Both companies dropped out of last week’s online launch event at the last minute. A Seamster spokesman said additional participants will come forward next month. MobiledgeX originally planned to launch Seamster during February’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. But that show became among the first major conferences canceled due to the spread of COVID-19.
