Vodafone recruits Oracle cloud platform to bolster 5G core

UK operator Vodafone has signed to deal with enterprise tech giant Oracle to implement its cloud native network policy management platform into its 5G core.

The cloud platform is based on the ability to dynamically prioritise low-latency applications to edge data networks, while optimizing network policies based on data analytics. What this is supposed to do is allow Vodafone to make ‘more intelligent policy decisions’ as well as test and deploy new services more easily, and provide ‘a seamless experience across 4G and 5G networks’.

“Moving to ‘cloud native’ is a culture shift as much as it is a technology shift for a techcomms company like Vodafone,” said Andrea Dona, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone UK. “Our partners must demonstrate flexibility and agility, as well as aligning to our vision of how technology will augment and support tomorrow’s digital society.”

Andrew Morawski, GM at Oracle Communications, Networks, added: “5G undoubtedly opens the door for endless new ways to engage with our world, but intelligent policy management is the entryway to capitalize on these opportunities,” said Andrew Morawski, senior vice president and general manager, Oracle Communications, Networks. “Our 5G and cloud capabilities are helping Vodafone to build a future-proof network that is automated, easier to scale, simpler to operate, and more cost-effective.”

We’re seeing more and more deals between telcos and hyperscalers. Last week Oracle struck a global cloud deal with Spanish telecoms group Telefonica, which will see the two firms will jointly offer platform-as-a-service (PaaS) and applications to enterprises and public sector organisations. As cloud computing continues to become more embedded in the telecoms sector, and the wider world besides, we can expect to see many more partnerships of this type in the future.