Technology

Now Generally Available: RG Nets Transforms Broadband Networks with Disaggregated B-RAS/BNG/WAG on NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPUs

Published

1 year ago

March 7, 2025

RENO, Nev., March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — We’re excited to announce that our next-generation disaggregated broadband solution is now generally available (GA)! After a successful proof-of-concept phase running since November, we’re proud to deliver a platform that redefines how broadband networks are built and operated—powered by the advanced capabilities of NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPUs and the open-source Vector Packet Processing (VPP) framework.

A New Era for Broadband Network Functions

In today’s broadband networks, Broadband Remote Access Servers (B-RAS), Broadband Network Gateways (BNG), and Wireless Aggregation Gateways (WAG) serve as the critical service edge, managing subscriber authentication, IP address allocation, policy enforcement, and traffic routing for millions of users. Traditionally, these functions were locked into monolithic, proprietary hardware appliances built around ASICs. While these legacy systems delivered high throughput, they often came with steep costs, limited flexibility, and the burden of vendor lock-in.

Our solution flips the script by disaggregating these functions—transitioning from specialized hardware to a software-driven architecture running on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware. By leveraging NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPUs and the high-performance VPP framework, we’ve created a platform that scales horizontally, offers rapid feature deployment, and dramatically cuts costs. This becomes even more important as networks prepare to serve the era of intelligence and an AI-ready edge network becomes the place to process AI inferencing traffic from consumer and enterprise applications.

Twice the Throughput at Two-Thirds the Cost

At the heart of our platform is NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPU technology. Here’s why collaborating with NVIDIA is a game changer for broadband network deployments:

Unmatched Performance: Our platform delivers twice the gigabits per second (Gbps) compared to conventional solutions, ensuring that your network can handle the most demanding traffic loads.

Cost Efficiency: Achieve superior performance at just two-thirds the price of traditional ASIC-based systems—dramatically lowering your capital expenditures (CapEx) without sacrificing quality.

Hardware Offloads, Acceleration & Isolation: NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPUs offload critical network, security, and storage tasks from the main CPU, freeing up resources while delivering robust, hardware-based isolation, acceleration, and enhanced security.

Scalability and Flexibility: Expand your capacity easily by adding more DPUs. Software updates and modular plugins in VPP mean that new features, such as advanced QoS or enhanced security policies, can be deployed seamlessly—no need for a full hardware refresh.

Disaggregating B-RAS, BNG, and WAG: Key Benefits and Use Cases

By decoupling the traditional network functions from fixed hardware appliances, our solution offers a host of benefits:

Scalability & Flexibility:
Traditional appliances come with fixed capacity limits. Our disaggregated model allows operators to scale horizontally—adding DPUs or servers as subscriber demands evolve. This means you can keep pace with the rapid growth in broadband traffic without disruptive hardware overhauls.

Cost Savings & Vendor Independence:
Replace costly, ASIC-driven appliances with an open, software-centric solution. Leveraging open-source VPP not only cuts down on software licensing fees but also minimizes vendor dependencies and supply chain risks.

Rapid Feature Deployment:
In today’s fast-paced broadband market, quickly rolling out new services is essential. Our platform supports continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) practices, so you can introduce new services—like enhanced QoS tiers or dynamic policy enforcement—faster than ever.

Improved Security & Isolation:
With NVIDIA BlueField’s hardware-level isolation, critical network functions such as encryption and deep packet inspection are offloaded from the main CPU, reducing the risk of security breaches and enhancing overall network resilience.

Enhanced Subscriber Experience:
Whether it’s seamless roaming between Wi-Fi hotspots or robust support for IPv6, our solution ensures that subscriber sessions remain uninterrupted and secure, even as network traffic scales up.

Operational & Economic Advantages

Beyond performance, our platform brings tangible operational and economic benefits:

Lower CapEx & OpEx: Replace expensive proprietary hardware with cost-effective DPUs and reduce maintenance and support costs by leveraging a unified, software-driven infrastructure.

Faster ROI: Rapid deployment of new features and service tiers accelerates revenue generation while keeping operational complexity to a minimum.

Vendor Flexibility: Avoid the pitfalls of vendor lock-in and enjoy the freedom to innovate with an open ecosystem built around industry standards.

Ready for the Future

As broadband networks converge with emerging technologies like 5G, Wi-Fi 6/6E/7, and edge cloud services, our disaggregated platform is designed to evolve with the market, including being ready for the upsurge of AI Inferencing traffic at the distributed edge. The combination of high-speed data plane acceleration and flexible software enables seamless integration of AI and machine learning capabilities, ensuring that your network remains future-ready.

Join the Transformation

With our platform now GA and battle-tested since November, there’s never been a better time to upgrade your network infrastructure. Embrace a future-proof solution that delivers twice the throughput at two-thirds the cost, enhances subscriber experiences, and paves the way for agile, scalable network operations.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to push the boundaries of network innovation!

Media Contact: Michelle Millum, mrm@rgnets.com, 619-289-7216

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SOURCE RG Nets

Technology

Walmart Has 23.6% of U.S. Grocery Sales – But Costco Owns the AI Answer – 5W Grocery Retail AI Visibility Index 2026

Published

3 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Walmart Owns 21% of U.S. Grocery — But Costco Owns the AI Answer

NEW YORK, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 5WPR, the premier AI communications firm in the United States, today released the U.S. Grocery Retail AI Visibility Index 2026 — the 11th installment in 5W’s AI Visibility Index research series, and the first to rank American grocery retailers by how frequently they are cited inside AI-generated answers.

The headline finding rewrites the category league table.

Walmart, with approximately 21 percent of U.S. grocery market share — the largest in the country — ranks fourth in AI citation share. The retailer cited most often when American shoppers ask ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Google AI Overviews where to buy their groceries is Costco. Trader Joe’s ranks second. Whole Foods ranks third. Aldi, H-E-B, and Wegmans are all punching far above what their physical footprint would predict.

“Market share is a lagging indicator. AI citation share is a leading indicator,” said Ronn Torossian, Founder and Chairman of 5W. “The grocers who close that gap in 2026 will define the category in 2030. Most grocery CMOs we talk to are running 2019 playbooks against 2026 consumer behavior.”

5W researchers ran more than 80 consumer-intent queries across 12 sub-categories — best overall grocery store, cheapest, highest-quality produce, best private label, best organic, best meal planning, best bulk, best delivery, best customer service, best regional, and others — across the four leading consumer AI platforms. Each retailer was scored on citation frequency, position within the answer, sentiment, and sub-category dominance.

The top 10: Costco, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Walmart, Kroger, Aldi, H-E-B, Publix, Wegmans, and Target.

Key structural findings:

Market share no longer predicts AI citation share. Walmart’s roughly 21 percent share translates to an estimated 8 to 10 percent AI citation share across premium query categories. The decoupling is the single largest such gap in American retail.Private label is the highest-leverage citation asset a grocer owns. Kirkland, Trader Joe’s, 365, Good & Gather, and Great Value are cited directly by name in AI answers at rates that exceed most national CPG brands.Regional loyalty translates directly into regional AI dominance. Regional chains outperform national chains in their home markets by 3x or more.Reddit and TikTok are under-priced citation surfaces. Perplexity pulls a majority of its answers from community sources. ChatGPT and Claude weight Reddit heavily.

The report also identifies six 2026 dynamics reshaping the category, including the new GLP-1 grocery basket, Aldi’s expansion as a citation-compounding program, and Walmart’s CEO transition from Doug McMillon to John Furner — effective February 1, 2026 — as a brand-narrative inflection point.

The full Index, including ranks 11 through 25 and sub-category breakdowns, is available as a free download at 5wpr.com/research.

About 5W

5W is the AI Communications Firm, building brand authority across the platforms where decisions now happen — ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews — alongside earned media, digital, and influencer channels. 5W combines public relations, digital marketing, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and proprietary AI visibility research, helping clients measure and grow their presence in AI-driven buyer research.

Founded more than 20 years ago, 5W has been recognized as a top U.S. PR agency by O’Dwyer’s, named Agency of the Year in the American Business Awards®, and honored as a Top Place to Work in Communications in 2026 by Ragan. 5W serves clients across B2C sectors including Beauty & Fashion, Consumer Brands, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, Technology, and Nonprofit; B2B specialties including Corporate Communications and Reputation Management; as well as Public Affairs, Crisis Communications, and Digital Marketing, including Social Media, Influencer, Paid Media, GEO, and SEO. 5W was also named to the Digiday WorkLife Employer of the Year list.

For more information, visit www.5wpr.com.

Media Contact
Chris Bergin
cbergin@5wpr.com

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SOURCE 5W Public Relations

Technology

ICAT Logistics Appoints Youssef Annali as Chief Financial Officer

Published

3 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Transportation and logistics finance leader joins as ICAT accelerates its next phase of growth

DALLAS, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ICAT Logistics announces the appointment of Youssef Annali as Chief Financial Officer. Annali brings more than two decades of senior finance leadership across global logistics and supply chain businesses, and joins as the company scales its platform, team, and operational capabilities globally.

Annali joins ICAT from OIA Global, a $1.4 billion revenue supply chain management leader, where he served as CFO for four years overseeing Finance, Corporate Development, Strategy, Legal, Compliance, and Real Estate. Prior to OIA, he spent eleven years at CEVA Logistics—one of the world’s largest freight and logistics providers—rising to CFO & EVP Finance for North America, where he held financial accountability for a business generating over $4.5 billion in annual revenue and more than 14,000 employees. Earlier in his career, he served in senior finance roles at Abbott, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Annali has a consistent track record of building finance functions that support strategic growth and has deep experience across financial planning, M&A, treasury, and corporate restructuring. He holds a Post-Master’s in Finance and Control from the University of Amsterdam and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Groningen.

“Youssef has led high-performing finance teams at the highest levels of global logistics. He brings the operational depth and strategic mindset our platform demands as we enter the next phase of growth,” said Brad Stogner, CEO of ICAT Logistics.

“ICAT has built something genuinely differentiated—a specialized platform operating in verticals where precision and domain expertise are non-negotiable. The foundation is strong, and the opportunity ahead is significant. I look forward to working with the team to accelerate that momentum,” said Youssef Annali, Chief Financial Officer of ICAT Logistics.

About ICAT

ICAT is the world’s leading specialized logistics company, delivering customized solutions and deep vertical expertise to industries where failure is not an option. With 65 offices and operating capabilities in 190 countries, ICAT serves customers across Live Events, Luxury, Technology, Defense & Aerospace, Life Sciences, and Financial Institutions—sectors defined by uncompromising performance standards. ICAT’s proprietary, AI-powered technology platform provides end-to-end visibility and predictive intelligence, enabling precise execution for the most demanding operations.

ICAT is backed by New Atlas Capital following its acquisition of the Company in 2024.

Contact Information

ICAT Logistics, Inc.
8840 Cypress Waters Blvd, Ste 325,
Coppell, TX, 75019
marketing@icatlogistics.com

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SOURCE ICAT Logistics, Inc.

Technology

HelloNation Article Highlights Poughkeepsie’s Focus on Youth Investment, Neighborhood Parks and Sustainable Reuse

Published

3 hours ago

May 7, 2026

The article examines how redevelopment projects and youth programs are reshaping community life across Poughkeepsie.

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What does long term community growth look like when a city invests in both people and public spaces? HelloNation has published a HelloNation article that provides the answer through a detailed look at how Poughkeepsie is combining youth investment, neighborhood improvements and adaptive reuse projects to support residents and strengthen the city’s future.

The article explains that Poughkeepsie is undergoing a period of reinvention centered on infrastructure upgrades, youth programming and redevelopment along the city’s Northside. According to the article, local and county leaders are working to create spaces where residents can learn, gather and build stronger community connections. The article notes that these efforts are intended to improve quality of life while helping the city grow in a more sustainable and inclusive way.

A major focus of the article is the planned Youth Opportunity Union, also known as the YOU, a large multipurpose youth facility backed by Dutchess County. The HelloNation article describes the project as a 19,000 square foot center that will include childcare services, wellness support, tutoring areas, teaching kitchens and both indoor and outdoor recreation spaces. The article explains that the project reflects a larger regional effort to increase opportunities for children and teenagers in underserved communities.

The article also highlights additional youth centered investments connected to sports, education and recreation. According to the article, Dutchess County has awarded grants to local organizations serving young people between the ages of 6 and 17. The article further explains that Poughkeepsie’s City Parks program has introduced mini grants designed to support renovations and activities in neighborhood parks, including Pershing Avenue and Malcolm X parks.

Beyond youth programs, the article details how the city is working to improve transportation and neighborhood infrastructure. The HelloNation article explains that Poughkeepsie launched its first five year paving plan in 2025, beginning with major roadway improvements on Main Street and other corridors. The article states that these upgrades are intended to improve safety, durability and daily conditions for residents while supporting broader redevelopment goals throughout the city.

Another important part of the article focuses on adaptive reuse and environmental redevelopment on the Northside. The article describes how Scenic Hudson plans to transform the former Standard Gage Factory into the Northside Hub, a redevelopment project designed to serve as both a nonprofit headquarters and a community gathering space. According to the article, the project will feature solar powered operations, office space, public parkland and community facilities near the Walkway Over the Hudson and Dutchess Rail Trail.

The article also explains that Poughkeepsie’s selection as the Mid Hudson winner in New York’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative adds additional momentum to current redevelopment efforts. The HelloNation article notes that the funding will support new downtown projects that build on existing investments in youth programs, infrastructure and adaptive reuse. Together, these efforts are presented as part of a broader strategy to create long term stability and opportunity for local residents.

The article concludes that Poughkeepsie’s emerging identity is closely tied to projects that strengthen neighborhoods while supporting future generations. Poughkeepsie Puts Youth, Neighborhood Parks and Sustainable Reuse at the Center of Renewal features insights from HelloNation Staff Writer, community development coverage of Poughkeepsie, New York, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. HelloNation maintains partnerships with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the United States First Responders Association.

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SOURCE HelloNation