OPERA: Operational Platform for Edge-based Real-Time AI

Purpose and goal

The project transforms the mobile telecom network into a trusted edge computing platform. By embedding distributed confidential compute resources directly into the radio access and core network and exposing them through standardized telecom APIs, the network evolves from a connectivity provider into a provider of secure, on-demand compute as a network service. The platform is validated in an automotive road-safety/logistics use case and shown to transfer to additional industrial sectors.

Expected effects and result

The project gives the telecom network a new role as a provider of confidential compute as an integrated service. In-network TEEs and remote attestation let third parties run sensitive, safety-critical workloads while meeting regulatory, sovereignty, and trust requirements. Standardized CAMARA APIs enable open, vendor-neutral access, mobility-aware orchestration keeps latency low for moving sources, and validation across automotive and further verticals proves broad transferability.

Planned approach and implementation

The project is implemented in eight work packages. AstaZero leads coordination and dissemination. Ericsson builds the technical core: standardized CAMARA-API etc, distributed confidential computing resources with TEE in radio and core networks and mobility-aware orchestration, and integrates everything into network environments Expericom etc. The solution is broadened to more industries (WP6) and validated and publicly demonstrated in a vehicle case with Volvo.