Telefonica inks IT deal with Wipro for network automation

Telefonica revealed an IT services agreement with Wipro to start Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment and Continuous Testing (CI/CD/CT) in Germany, Brazil, Spain and UK – as part of its focus on network automation.
Telefonica’s 5G network in SpainIndia-based IT services provider Wipro will support Telefonica to use a common CI/CD/CT framework for all the markets which can be implemented locally to meet specific local integration needs. This will ease collaboration among Telefonica businesses allowing to share design, parametrization/configuration, test plans and results.

The solution, developed by Wipro, will be built over opensource tools and open to evolution, allowing rapid adaptation to future technological changes. Common repository test tools will also be used, with the possibility of future integration with the CI/CD/CT pipeline.

Telefonica aims to automate the associated Network Operations and, enable the transition to the Telco Cloud and the adoption of the virtualized Network Functions. This framework will allow for industrialization of the process, coping with the complexity of the Network Functions while adopting an Agile working methodology in parallel to the industry.

Telefonica Germany considers CI/CD/CT to be an important tool when implementing automation strategy.

“Fast, reliable and standardized automation of all tasks from build to production will improve our time to market as well as service quality,” saidThomas Braun, Manager Test Environments & Integration, Telefonica Germany.

Telefonica Brazil considers the initiative fundamental in its cloudification and network transformation strategy.

“Automation of testing and continuous delivery will be one of the pillars to address the construction model for 5G networks and even for traditional fixed and mobile networks,” said Elmo Rocha, Director of Planning and Technology, VIVO.

Though the initial target is 5G Core Network, the strategy is to expand the solution to other areas such as Transport, Access and Infrastructure.

Telefonica and Wipro will also collaborate in implementing and incorporating the CI/CD/CT framework in the Telefonica Technology & Automation Lab based in Madrid.

Wipro will support Telefonica in implementing different use cases over Telco Cloud environments and will build an automated and programmable environment based on Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning where both partners will work jointly with the objective to achieve Zero touch network testing and deployment without a maintenance window.

“CI/CD/CT is a must in our 5G strategy enabling the robustness and reliability of our Network while ensuring adaptability and accelerating the time to market. This is one of the key steps in the path of automation of our networks,” said Cayetano Carbajo, Director of Core, Service Platforms and Transport, Telefonica CTIO.

“Network disaggregation, O-RAN and automation are at the core of our investments to enable cost efficient, scalable networks of the future,” Thomas Mueller, CTO – Engineering and R&D Services, Wipro, said.

Wipro had also recently announced a five-year strategic partnership with Telefonica Germany / O2 for a Radical IT Transformation (RAITT) program.