Nokia and Google Cloud have announced a collaboration to make Nokia’s cloud core software deployable on Google Cloud’s Anthos for Telecom platform.
The aim is to give telecoms service providers and enterprises a cloud-native deployment environment for Nokia’s 5G core and signalling software, as well as its IoT connectivity platform. Nokia’s cloud native functions could run on-premise or at the network edge using the Google cloud platform.
The two companies said they will “jointly develop cloud-native 5G core solutions for communication service providers and enterprise customers.”
Nokia and Google said they would “work closely to validate, optimise 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.”
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. Nokia is making its voice core, cloud packet core, network exposure function, data management, signaling, and 5G core available to the collaboration.
Nokia and Google included quotes from BT and DT in the press release announcing the collaboration. AT&T was a key launch partner for Anthos, along wits Vodafone and Wind Tre.
Nokia joins Amdocs and Netcracker in announcing joint go-to-market strategies with Google Cloud. The question of how best to take advantage of cloud computing capabilities to enhance network operations and services has rumbled on since the first NFV steps (and mis-steps) approaching a decade ago.
Google Cloud, AWS and Microsoft Azure all now have deep co-market strategies with telcos and with software providers, spanning edge-based enterprise services to (in some cases) cloud-based deployments of network functions.
