Ooredoo Qatar has launched a Nokia-powered cloud-native core network for commercial 5G services, targeting its two million subscribers in Qatar.

The core network facilitates automation for improved network efficiency and streamlined network management. The transformation of the core network also enables Ooredoo Qatar to bring new use cases such as Industrial IOT (IIoT), Voice over Broadband (VoBB), Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi) to its subscribers.

Nokia AirFrame data center hardware, CloudBand Application Manager, CBIS OpenStack Software, Voice and Cloud Packet Core Virtual Network Functions, and Nuage Networks Software Defined Networking solutions were all included as key parts in upgrading Ooredoo Qatar’s core network.

More than 10 virtualized network functions (VNFs) are deployed on the cloud platform, covering data, voice, subscriber management registers and policy control enabling voice and data services. The new cloud core network supports 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) architecture and provides a smooth transition to a 5G Standalone network architecture.

“This project is testament to our commitment to bringing the latest technology to subscribers, in line with our goal of complete customer satisfaction, and reiterates our leadership position in the global 5G ecosystem,” Yousuf Abdulla Al Kubaisi, chief operating officer at Ooredoo Qatar, said.

The transformation of Ooredoo Qatar’s legacy core network to a fully cloud-native 5G core in a very short time frame demonstrates the strength of our portfolio and exceptional delivery expertise, Henrique Vale, vice president of Nokia Software for Middle East and Africa, said in a statement.