Cloud and network architecture and services
We conduct research, development, and innovation in emerging digital technology models, focusing on telecommunications, internet of things and cloud-to-edge computing.
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Highlights
Wired for the future: Sharing science behind FDCR2025
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, hosted the FDCR2025 Conference. Co-located with the South African Institute of Computer Scientists and Information Technologists 2025 Conference, the event brought together scientists, engineers, policymakers, leading experts, innovators and key stakeholders from the private and public sectors across Africa to explore the future of digital capabilities in an increasingly interconnected world. Learn more
Our capabilities
Our expertise spans:
Software-defined networking
Network function virtualisation
Cloud computing and next-generation core networks (5G/6G)
Network slicing models and orchestration
Non-terrestrial network and 5G integration
Our research
We are a research-driven team advancing the frontiers of next-generation networking and cloud-native architectures. Our work contributes to international standards development and we are in the process of obtaining ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, reinforcing our commitment to quality and technical competence in testing and validation.
Our infrastructure
We provide a versatile range of facilities that support experimentation, testing, and innovation in next-generation networking technologies.
End-to-end 5G Testbed
A full-stack fifth generation (5G)+ platform enabling real-world testing of core, RAN, and UE configurations. This environment supports commercial and open-source network functions, and is ideal for prototyping, validation, and performance testing across a variety of use cases.
Cloud platform
Located in our secure data center, our cloud platform provides scalable compute, storage, and orchestration infrastructure. It is purpose-built to support virtual machines, containerised workloads, and experimental deployments in a highly available and automated environment. The platform supports research and development while enabling the development of cloud-native technologies.
RD&I playground for academia and industry
A flexible experimentation zone equipped with high-performance computing resources and software tools. This environment supports research, development and innovation (RD&I) activities for students, researchers, and startups, making it ideal for early-stage prototyping and collaborative projects.
Success stories
Thought leadership and ecosystem building
We played a pioneering role in advancing fifth generation (5G) understanding by becoming the first institution in Africa to successfully host a dedicated 5G workshop. The event brought together participants from both industry and academia, fostering collaboration and raising awareness of next-generation network technologies.
Read more about the workshop hereInsights and publications
We actively contribute to the research and development of next-generation communication technologies. Our publications cover a wide range of topics such as fifth generation (5G) and beyond architectures, cloud-native networks, network slicing, and edge computing.
We also share insights through thought pieces, such as:
The future of cloud and network architecture: A blueprint for resilient and ethical innovation
Advanced technology is rapidly transforming how we live, work and connect through cloud and network architectures. The integration of software-defined networking, network functions virtualisation and 5G core networks represents more than just technological advancements – it affects our society. Driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, these advancements promise unmatched connectivity and efficiency, while also raising ethical considerations predicaments that demand careful attention.
Read one of our recent think piece here
Research enablement
Our facilities have played a vital role in supporting advancing research for students and academic institutions. By providing access to our fifth generation testbed and cloud infrastructure, researchers have been able to validate theories, simulate complex network behaviours, and explore real-world deployment scenarios.