On the back of disappointing Q1 sales, Nokia Networks has announced the launch of the NetAct Cloud virtualized OSS solution for network management.

The cloud-based upgrade to NetAct, Nokia claims, makes network management more robust, flexible and scalable while improving performance in virtual and hybrid environments.

As is the norm for virtualized platforms performing network management or function deployment, Nokia says NetAct’s virtualized instance enables the easy, visualised management of radio, core and transport networks. Because it is virtual it benefits from near-zero downtime for upgrades, Nokia reckons.

Alongside the network management system, NetAct also comes with an add-on called Fast Pass, which appears to harness the traditional benefits of NFV so operators can deploy new network functions faster. Because they are both software-only, NetAct Cloud and Fast Pass combined will be deployable on the same data centre platforms as other IT and telco systems to boost cost efficiency and agility in rolling out new services.

The ultimate aim, of course, is to smooth the path to 5G, according to Nokia.

“NetAct Cloud was built with an evolution towards 5G in mind,” said Applications and Analytics President at Nokia, Bhaskar Gorti. “We added capabilities to deploy network features faster and work smoothly in cloud environments. With these enhancements, Nokia is well equipped to help our more than 500 NetAct customers safeguard their network management investment while preparing their networks for the future.”

In other Nokia news, the vendor announced it will be rolling out LTE-A in Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. Working with Zain KSA, Nokia will be deploying three component carrier aggregation and reckons it’ll be able to deliver download speeds (theoretical) of 187.5Mbps. Nokia has been making a concerted cloud play over the past year, with a variety of their traditionally hardware-based products in the network portfolio being ported over to cloud platforms or being augmented with additional cloud-based functionality. These include, but are not limited to, cognitive cloud platform AVA, AirFrame, Radio Cloud and more.

“With this new launch, we can help to fulfil these demands by providing ultra-user experience through higher data throughput levels and optimum network performance,” said CTO of Zain KSA Sultan AlDeghaither. “Moreover, this technology will allow us to move toward our goal of transforming Jeddah into a role model for smart and digitally connected cities across the world, and enrich the experience of Zain customers in Saudi Arabia.”