Telefonica has selected IBM, Red Hat and Juniper for the deployment of 5G core network across Europe.
Telefonica will use IBM intelligent automation software and services to implement 5G core network platform called UNICA Next.

Telefonica has engaged IBM Global Business Services, Red Hat and Juniper networking to deploy the cloud-native platform. Telefonica will deploy the open-standard open-networking technology compliant platform across multiple central, regional, and distributed data centers offering low latency and high bandwidth.

UNICA Next data centers are planned to be deployed starting in October 2021 and its architecture is designed to address ETSI and other relevant industry standards.

The new network is built on IBM Cloud Pak for Network Automation, Red Hat OpenShift, and Juniper Networks Apstra and QFX technology to deliver streamlined end-to-end orchestration and operations. The platform will enable improvements in deployment and management, including enabling new services that deliver enhanced customer value.

“Telefonica is combining the latency and bandwidth advancements of 5G with the customization and intelligence of the cloud,” said Javier Gutierrez, director of strategy, network, and IT development for Telefonica.

“This implementation of Telefonica’s cloud-native, 5G core network platform reflects IBM’s significant investments in AI-powered automation software and the telco prime systems integration expertise required to deploy modern telecommunication networks – core, access, and edge,” Steve Canepa, managing director, IBM Global Communications Sector, said.

IBM Global Telco Solutions Lab in Coppell, Texas, connected along with Telefonica’s Network Cloud Lab in Madrid, will accelerate UNICA Next’s evolution by using CI/CD methodology for ongoing life-cycle upgrades to the existing UNICA Next platform.