IBM announced that Vodafone Idea has delivered the first major production milestone for core network functions on its Open Universal Hybrid Cloud, powered by IBM and Red Hat.
The platform enables IT and network applications to run on a common cloud architecture – designed to deliver RoI improvements through optimization of Capex, Opex, skills and automation investments across both the network and IT application domains.

The Open Universal Hybrid Cloud platform is based on open technology and open standards from IBM and Red Hat. It enables Vodafone Idea to better serve nearly 300 million subscribers by simplifying and transforming its IT and telecom network operations. The new platform is deployed across many distributed Vodafone Idea cloud microsites across India, as well as its central IT operations which are also run by IBM.

This platform enables automation through standardization. A range of capabilities from IBM and Red Hat, including Watson AI and Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, will strengthen VIL’s capability in network and IT planning. New network cloud microsites and IT capacity will now be able to be provisioned in an agile way, enabling faster deployments and cost efficiency.

This platform, which has the potential to deliver a step change in the cost and quality of core network delivery, enables new distributed edge compute capabilities that can seamlessly blend network and IT functions.

IBM and Vodafone Idea’s secured hybrid cloud is also built for business and the provisioning of highly differentiated B2B services to the India market. Vodafone Idea and IBM plan to work together as Vodafone Idea brings additional B2B services to market, like blockchain based solutions, in key industry verticals such as retail and financial services.

“Through our collaboration with IBM and Red Hat, we are adopting open standards and leading with highly automated, machine learning based hybrid cloud solutions to create India’s first Open Universal Hybrid Cloud,” said Vishant Vora, CTO of Vodafone Idea.

Steve Canepa, worldwide head of Telecommunications, Media & Entertainment Industry, IBM, said: “By selecting IBM and Red Hat, VIL will benefit from our commitment to open architecture, our scale investments in   automation and AI capabilities, and our proven industry expertise.”

Ashesh Badani, senior vice president, Cloud Platforms, Red Hat, said: “By accelerating automation of the network and serving as a key enabler of converging its network and IT domains with a common architecture, Red Hat is helping Vodafone Idea to bring the platform to a range of customers, including small to medium-sized enterprises and start-ups.”