Dell Technologies has introduced the PowerEdge XR8720t, a server designed to streamline Cloud RAN and Open RAN deployments in telecommunications and edge computing environments.
The PowerEdge XR8720t is positioned as the industry’s first single-server solution intended for these networks, aiming to reduce the complexity, space requirements, and deployment times commonly associated with multi-server setups traditionally required for telecom infrastructure.
Server capabilities
This compute platform consolidates radio access network (RAN) workloads in a ruggedised 2U server. With up to 72 processor cores and a 24 x 25G SFP28 port density, the XR8720t provides more than double the processing power compared to Dell’s previous generation equipment while occupying a compact footprint suitable for space-constrained deployments, such as cell sites.
The server is powered by the Intel Xeon 6 SoC with integrated Intel vRAN Boost, designed to handle AI, machine learning and real-time analytics workloads at the edge. Its support for hardware-based precision timing and synchronisation methods, including PTP and SyncE, aims to address the stringent requirements of modern telecom networks.
Operating conditions
The XR8720t is NEBS Level 3-compliant and is engineered for a wide temperature operating range between -5°C and 55°C. The system includes front-accessible input/output connections and is designed for modularity and ease of maintenance in challenging environments, such as military and edge deployments.
According to Dell, this architecture supports robust network performance for Cloud RAN workloads, with integrated timing follower features for synchronisation across distributed deployments. The platform is also described as AI-ready, supporting advanced analytics and edge intelligence, and is configurable to support GPU acceleration if needed.
Industry perspectives
Dennis Hoffman, Senior Vice President at Dell Technologies, said:
“The Dell PowerEdge XR8720t represents a significant step forward in telecom and edge infrastructure innovation. As a first platform of its kind, it is engineered to meet the rigorous demands of Open RAN and Cloud RAN deployments while delivering exceptional performance and scalability for edge workloads. This breakthrough allows organisations to consolidate workloads that once required multiple systems, simplifying infrastructure and paving the way for more powerful, efficient and AI-ready networks.”
Regis Paquette, Senior Vice President Global Sales Alliances, Channels & Industry Verticals at Canonical, commented, “Combining Canonical’s infrastructure software stack – based on Ubuntu, MicroCloud, and Kubernetes – with the robust performance of the Dell PowerEdge XR8720t provides a powerful and flexible foundation for organisations to rapidly develop and deploy workloads for RAN and edge. This collaboration simplifies the path to production and enables telcos, application providers, and enterprises to accelerate innovation and securely unlock the full potential of data at the edge.”
Oscar Toorell, Head of Technology Cloud RAN at Ericsson, stated, “Our collaboration with Dell on the PowerEdge XR8720t showcases how industry leaders can combine strengths to accelerate the shift to cloud-based networks. By integrating Intel Xeon 6 SoC that supports up to 72 cores with integrated Intel vRAN Boost accelerator with Dell’s robust, scalable infrastructure, we’ve created a Cloud RAN solution designed to meet the rigorous performance and scalability demands of Cloud RAN deployments. This collaboration builds on Ericsson’s decades-long legacy of telecom innovation, enabling service providers to deploy faster, scale efficiently and unlock the full potential of edge and RAN workloads.”
Honoré LaBourdette, Vice President, Global Telecommunications Ecosystem at Red Hat, said, “The future of RAN and edge computing is built on a foundation of open source innovation and powerful, reliable hardware. Our collaboration with Dell Technologies brings together Red Hat’s industry-leading enterprise open source platforms with the advanced capabilities of the PowerEdge XR8720t. This combination empowers organisations to deploy scalable, secure, and flexible edge solutions, turning real-time data into intelligent action and accelerating progress across industries. Together, we are providing the tools needed to build what’s next for RAN and edge.”
Ji-Yun Seol, Vice President and Head of Product Strategy, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics, commented, “Samsung has been pioneering network virtualisation from early on, and our success on this journey is built on a robust partner ecosystem, with valued partners including Dell. Through early testing and validation, we have showcased industry-leading performance and capabilities of Samsung vRAN solution on the Dell PowerEdge XR8720t, powered by Intel Xeon 6. Harnessing the power of software-based networks, we are committed to delivering advanced solutions that drive operational agility and cost efficiency today, while paving the way for the future of telecommunications in the AI era.”
Keith Basil, Vice President and General Manager Edge Business Unit at Suse, added, “Our long-standing partnership with Dell Technologies continues to drive innovation for the telco industry. We are excited that SUSE Telco Cloud is one of the first Telco Cloud platforms to fully support the new Dell PowerEdge XR8720t server. Together they provide the robust, secure, efficient and high-performance foundation that Communication Service Providers need to confidently deploy their most critical applications, in particular Cloud RAN, in any environment, including dense urban areas and Massive MIMO use cases.”
Bernard Bureau, Vice President, Wireless Strategy and Service at TELUS, said, “For successful deployments of Cloud RAN and Open RAN, performance and cost-efficiency are critical. The Dell PowerEdge XR8720t plays a pivotal role in achieving this by delivering exceptional processing power with sled based design, capable of running a complete DU on a dual sled server. This innovation significantly enhances our site economics, enabling us to scale this architecture efficiently across Canada.”
Francisco MartÃn Pignatelli, Head of Open RAN at Vodafone, noted, “Open RAN network relies on a zero-touch, highly automated fabric that is both efficient and powerful. The Dell PowerEdge XR8720t supports this approach. With its single-server DU consolidation powered by the Intel Xeon 6 SoC and leading fronthaul port capacity, it promises to reduce total cost of ownership and supports the development of scalable, sustainable networks.”
Darrell Jordan-Smith, Chief Revenue Officer at Wind River, commented, “As industries race to monetise edge AI, they need infrastructure that can perform reliably under the most demanding conditions. Pairing Wind River’s mission-critical software with the Dell PowerEdge XR8720t platform delivers exactly that, turning edge data into real-time insights and enabling clients to launch new services faster, safer, and at scale.”
Deployment and target sectors
Dell expects the XR8720t to be relevant not only for telecommunications carriers, but also for sectors including retail, defence and manufacturing, where support for AI, machine learning and precision synchronisation at the edge is required. The device is designed to support performance-intensive applications and help operators conduct AI-based analytics close to the data source.
The XR8720t is scheduled to be available globally in the first quarter of 2026.