Microsoft has announced a new cloud platform called Azure for Operators that has been designed to help telecommunications operators unlock the full potential of 5G.
The new offering will help communication service providers create new opportunities and provide core infrastructure, the Redmond giant says, using cloud, cellular and edge to create the lowest latency and largest reach for a low cost.
Ultimately, Azure for Operators aims to help providers create advanced industry solutions based on connections to AI, signature consumer experiences with new forms of mixed reality content, as well as an ecosystem of developers that can quickly leverage 5G network opportunities.
"We're building a carrier-grade cloud and bringing more Microsoft technology to the operator’s edge,” commented Jason Zander, Executive Vice President of Microsoft Azure, in a blog post.
"This, in combination with our developer ecosystem, will help operators to future-proof their networks, drive down costs, and create new services and business models.”
Building on its acquisitions of Affirmed Networks and Metaswitch, Microsoft says the move will enable operators to offer a wide range of services such as ultra-reliable, low-latency connectivity, mixed reality communications services, network slicing, as well as highly scalable Internet of Things (IoT) apps.
With Azure, businesses can also implement a more flexible and scalable model, bring down infrastructure cost, as well as automate operations using AI and machine learning to differentiate their services.
Microsoft also highlighted that it will support operators as they evolve their infrastructure and operations using tech such as software-defined networking, network function virtualisation and service-based architectures.
"We are bringing to market a carrier-grade platform for edge and cloud to support the operator’s goals to future proof their infrastructure with disaggregated, and containerised network architectures," Zander added.
"Recognising that not everything will move to the public cloud, we will meet operators where they are—whether at the enterprise edge, the network edge, or in the cloud."
-
HPE and Nvidia launch first EU AI factory lab in FranceThe facility will let customers test and validate their sovereign AI factories
-
AWS CEO Matt Garman says AI agents will have 'as much impact on your business as the internet or cloud'News Garman told attendees at AWS re:Invent that AI agents represent a paradigm shift in the trajectory of AI and will finally unlock returns on investment for enterprises.
-
The Microsoft Azure outage explained: What happened, who was impacted, and what can we learn from it?News Microsoft has confirmed its Azure services are back online after a major outage impacted services across multiple regions – here's everything you need to know.
-
AWS, Microsoft, and Google see massive cloud opportunities in Japan - here’s whyAnalysis AWS’ bid to expand infrastructure in Japan will see it it invest over $15 billion, but it’s not the only hyperscaler that has its eye on big gains in the country
-
Hyperscaler earnings 'highlight new era of maturity' in global cloud marketNews Sluggish earnings for Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS could point to a more moderate cloud market in the year ahead
-
Nokia to offer data centre switches to boost Azure bandwidthNews The announcement is part of an ongoing collaboration to develop the 'SONiC' networking initiative
-
Microsoft wins contract to build Singapore's first sovereign cloudNews It hopes the deal will will help keep the city-state “the safest place on the planet”
-
AWS shakes off outages with 40% surge in revenueNews However, analysts warn the cloud giant should be wary of the 'impressive growth' of Microsoft and Google
-
IAR Systems and Secure Thingz partner to streamline Azure IoT migrationNews Joint solution expedites device development and deployment for Azure IoT and RTOS platforms
-
Microsoft bolsters Azure with AT&T 5G deal and security collaborationNews The firm acquire’s AT&T’s Network Cloud platform while integrating MITRE's ATT&CK framework
