Intel buys private 5G firm Ananki

Chip vendor Intel has acquired private 5G network provider Anaki, alongside the development team of the non-profit Open Networking Foundation that span-out the start-up just a few months ago. 

Ananki was created by the ONF in order to deliver open source-based software-defined Private 5G as a commercial service. Intel’s acquisition was confirmed Monday on LinkedIn by Guru Parulkar, who was co-founder and CEO of Ananki and executive director of the Open Networking Foundation. 

Intel did not release a statement confirming the takeover, instead only acknowledging that the ONF’s dev unit would be joining the Californian firm’s Networking and Edge Group. No figure was revealed for the deal. 

Nick McKeown, founding ONF board member and SVP and GM of the Network and Edge Group at Intel, recently commented on the next stage of the ONF development team, saying: “ONF has made important contributions to the industry with its software-defined development projects, and I am confident that its move to a community-sourced model as part of its next stage of growth will fuel further contributions as the industry and its needs advance. 

“As a result of ONF’s shift in direction, we are pleased to welcome ONF’s development team to Intel. We look forward to our continued contributions to ONF projects, the ongoing success of ONF-developed platforms, and our active participation in the ONF community.” 

Ananki’s open-source, software-defined services aim to make private 5G easier for enterprises to use by automating the complex configurations involved in inter-networked factories, energy production and utilities. This can include connecting heavy machinery, robots or cameras and sensors to a single, dedicated 5G network.  

Its range includes a service-based 5G software stack, small cell radios, SIM cards and a dashboard for monitoring and analysing network activity. Enterprises buy a subscription-based service that charges them according to their 5G coverage needs. 

It was span off by the ONF earlier this year as part of the organisation’s plan to commercialise its open-source technology through subscription and licensing models. The ONF – founded in 2011 – has over 100 members which include Intel as well as several other prominent tech companies, such as AMD, AT&T, Broadcom, Cisco, Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, and T-Mobile. 

Private 5G networks are expected to play a core role in the future of digital transformation for many industries. In a recent report, GSMA Intelligence forecast that between 25% and 40% of SMEs and corporates could be served via private mobile networks between 2023 and 2053. 

“Private 5G networks are undoubtedly the future of an effective industry,” said Orange Poland’s president in a recent report by TechInformed. Check out the full report here