Google Cloud, Nokia Team for CSP Cloud-Native 5G Readiness
January 15, 2021
Google Cloud and Nokia today announced a global, strategic
partnership to bring new solutions for communications
service providers (CSPs) that modernize their network
infrastructures, build on a cloud-native 5G Core, and
develop the network edge as a business services platform for
enterprises.
Under this partnership, Google Cloud and Nokia will work
closely to validate, optimize and evolve cloud-native
network functions, and the two companies will also
co-innovate new solutions that will help CSPs deliver 5G
connectivity and services at scale.
Today, global CSPs can unlock new monetization opportunities
by driving 5G connectivity and advanced services to
enterprise customers at the network edge, to deliver new,
digital experiences for consumers. Google Cloud and Nokia
will create solutions that bring together Nokia’s 5G
operations services and networking capabilities with Google
Cloud’s leading technologies in AI, ML and analytics,
running on Anthos as a platform for shifting workloads to
the network edge, across public and private clouds.
As part of this collaboration, Nokia is supplying its voice
core, cloud packet core, network exposure function, data
management, signaling, and 5G core. This includes Nokia’s
IMPACT IoT Connected Device Platform, which enables
automated, zero-touch activation and allows for remote
management of IoT devices, as well as Nokia’s Converged
Charging solution provides real-time rating and charging
capabilities that enable CSPs to capture new revenue
opportunities from the 5G economy.
Google Cloud’s Anthos for Telecom will serve as the platform
for deploying applications, enabling CSPs to build an
ecosystem of services that are deployable anywhere, from the
edge of the network, to public clouds, private clouds and
carrier networks. By delivering cloud-native applications at
the edge, businesses can benefit from lower latency and
reduce the need for costly, on-site infrastructure, enabling
them to transform their businesses in industries such as
smart retail, connected manufacturing and digital consumer
experiences.
George Nazi, VP, Telco, Media & Entertainment Industry
Solutions at Google Cloud, said: “Communications service
providers have a tremendous opportunity ahead of them to
support businesses’ digital transformations at the network
edge through both 5G connectivity and cloud-native
applications and capabilities. Doing so requires modernized
infrastructure, built for a cloud-native 5G core, and we’re
proud to partner with Nokia to help the telecommunications
industry expand and support these customers.”
Alex Choi, SVP, Strategy and Technology Innovation at
Deutsche Telekom, said: “Deutsche Telekom is on a journey to
transform to a new open, disaggregated and cloud-native
infrastructure with an automated production model. We are
therefore excited to see two innovative organizations like
Nokia and Google Cloud joining forces to accelerate
ecosystem innovation across critical areas like Open RAN and
virtual RAN and the cloud-native 5G Core.”
Neil
McRae, Chief Architect at BT Group, said: “BT is deploying
cloud-native technologies across our platform, creating
value for our customers and ensuring they get the best
network experience in every aspect of their daily lives,
whether at home, on the move or at work. The network and the
services that our customers depend upon in their everyday
lives can be further enhanced in terms of scalability,
reliability, and experience with cloud-native technologies.
BT is excited that Google and Nokia are innovating together
to help accelerate new, on-demand edge and convergence
solutions, creating new possibilities for consumers and
enterprises.”
Ron Haberman, CTO of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia,
said: “In the past five years, the telecom industry has
evolved from physical appliances to virtual network
functions and now cloud-native solutions. Nokia is excited
to work with Google Cloud in service of our customers, both
CSPs and enterprise, to provide choice and freedom to run
workloads on premise and in the public cloud. Cloud-native
network functions and automation will enable new agility and
use-cases in the 5G era.”