ARMONK, N.Y. and MADRID, Sept. 23,
2021 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE:IBM) announced today a
strategic multi-year agreement with Telefónica to use IBM
intelligent automation software and services to implement UNICA
Next – Telefónica's first-ever, cloud-native, 5G core network
platform. With UNICA Next, Telefónica aims to acquire the agility,
reliability, and efficiency to continuously optimize its services,
now and in the future. As Telefónica and other Communications
Service Providers (CSPs) around the world prepare for the benefits
5G and edge will bring to core network functions, Telefónica plans
to have an open, secured, intelligent, and highly automated network
that can power transformation for consumer and enterprise customers
across all industries.
Telefónica has engaged IBM Global Business Services, a leading
systems integrator and the digital transformation services and
consultancy arm of IBM, Red Hat and Juniper networking to deploy
the cloud-native platform. The platform is planned to be a new
open-standard open-networking technology compliant platform that
will be deployed across multiple central, regional, and distributed
data centers offering low latency and high bandwidth, while able to
deliver services in an agile manner. UNICA Next data centers are
planned to be deployed starting in October
2021 and its scalable architecture is designed to address
ETSI and other relevant industry standards.
The new network is built on IBM Cloud Pak for Network
Automation, Red Hat OpenShift, and Juniper Networks Apstra and QFX
technology aligned to deliver streamlined end-to-end orchestration
and operations. The platform will enable continuous improvements in
deployment and management, including enabling new services that
deliver enhanced customer value. The integration of IBM Cloud Pak
for Network Automation software with UNICA Next allows for
intent-driven orchestration supporting the end-to-end lifecycle
management of different network cloud elements and network
functions, including 5G core. Pairing it with the power of Red Hat
Open Shift and Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes, the
combination will present Telefónica with an environment designed
for increased observability and control for managing the UNICA Next
Kubernetes environment and drive 5G and edge innovation more
quickly and with less complexity.
IBM Cloud Pak for Network Automation is AI-powered automation
software designed to provide extreme automation, zero-touch
provisioning, and closed loop operation capabilities.
These new capabilities will be engineered to allow Telefónica to
more quickly deploy network services and new network functions,
leveraging the IBM Cloud for Telecommunications partner ecosystem.
Telefónica, as a pioneer in the adoption of open networks, has
already deployed a live implementation using the IBM Cloud for
Telecommunications in Europe and
is continuing to innovate for their customers with speed and
improved value.
"Building out the UNICA Next platform with its next-generation
network architecture shows how important it is to build the
infrastructure now to support the deployment of 5G. 5G has the
potential to support thousands of use cases and applications for
consumers and enterprises in all industries. Our collaboration will
not only help us to harness the potential of 5G, but also prepare
for the future through a hybrid-cloud led technology and business
transformation. With IBM, Telefónica is combining the latency and
bandwidth advancements of 5G with the customization and
intelligence of the cloud: we anticipate the results will be
transformative in Europe and
beyond," said Javier Gutierrez,
director of strategy, network, and IT development for
Telefónica.
"We are proud to partner with Telefónica to reach this historic
moment for the telecommunications industry in Europe," said Steve
Canepa, managing director, IBM Global Communications Sector.
"This implementation of Telefónica's cloud-native, 5G core network
platform reflects IBM's significant investments in AI-powered
automation software and the telco prime systems integration
expertise required to deploy modern telecommunication networks –
core, access, and edge. We are energized by the opportunity
to enable Telefónica and all our clients to modernize their
networks and enable new revenue-generating services that deliver
tremendous value to consumer and enterprise customers."
IBM Global Telco Solutions Lab in Coppell, Texas, connected along with
Telefónica's Network Cloud Lab in Madrid, will help accelerate UNICA Next's
evolution by building new fully integrated releases using CI/CD
methodology for ongoing life-cycle upgrades to the existing UNICA
Next platform. By working with IBM in this way, Telefónica will be
able to increase agility and data security and continue to innovate
and transform, drawing on IBM's large network function ecosystem,
Red Hat's vast ecosystem of certified partners, and Juniper's
relationships with network function and hardware vendors.
Juniper is committed to bringing the power of open hybrid cloud
architecture to clients around the world. As a member of the IBM
Cloud for Telecommunications ecosystem, Juniper is proud to support
IBM and Red Hat as they work with Telefónica to build and deploy a
modern 5G network.
Statements regarding IBM's future direction and intent are
subject to change or withdrawal without notice, and represent goals
and objectives only.
About Telefónica
Telefónica is a leading
telecommunications service provider globally. The company offers
fixed and mobile connectivity, as well as a wide range of digital
services for individual consumers and enterprises. Telefónica has
367 million clients spanning Europe and Latin
America. Telefónica is a private company whose shares are
listed as TEF on the Bolsa de Madrid, the New York Stock Exchange, and the
Bolsa de Valores de Lima.
https://www.telefonica.com/es/home
About IBM
To learn more about IBM Global Business
Services, please visit: https://www.ibm.com/services
For more information about IBM Cloud Pak for Network Automation,
please visit:
https://www.ibm.com/cloud/cloud-pak-for-network-automation
Media Contacts
Charlotte
Bergmann
charlotte.bergmann@ibm.com
Hanna Smigala
smigala@us.ibm.com
Miguel Giménez de Castro
miguel.gimenezdc@ibm.com
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SOURCE IBM