Dell Technologies unveiled a line of servers targeting edge and telecom deployments.

The tech giant contended that current cloud and edge use cases require multiple servers, increasing operational complexity and costs. Its new PowerEdge XR8720t aims to quash that, providing a single server solution in a bid to streamline deployments.

“The PowerEdge XR8720t allows organizations to consolidate workloads that once required multiple systems, simplifying infrastructure and paving the way for more powerful, efficient, and AI-ready networks,” said Dennis Hoffman, SVP at Dell Technologies.

The server is powered by Intel’s Xeon 6 system-on-a-chip (SoCs) along with the chip firm’s RAN Boost, which integrates radio access network (RAN) acceleration directly onto the processor. Intel’s Ethernet-based E830-XXVDA8F network adapter enables the single-server solution to deliver the requisite processing power and network bandwidth for demanding Cloud RAN workloads.

Dell claims the new PowerEdge server can operate in temperatures ranging from -5°C to 55°C without requiring environment-specific upgrades. In addition to telecom and edge deployments, Dell touts the XR8720t with its impressive durability as suitable for military applications.

Beyond RAN workloads, the tech giant said its server line can help operators unlock AI use cases at the edge, including agentic and machine learning operations. While CPU-based, operators can add support for GPUs to further extend potential AI use cases.

“The PowerEdge XR8720t represents a significant step forward in telecom and edge infrastructure innovation,” Hoffman said. “It is engineered to meet the rigorous demands of Open RAN and Cloud RAN deployments while delivering exceptional performance and scalability for edge workloads.”

“Open RAN network relies on a zero-touch, highly automated fabric that is both efficient and powerful,” said Francisco Martín Pignatelli, head of Open RAN at Vodafone. “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.”