Telecom network maker Ericsson has bagged a cloud-based virtualization deal from Telefonica.
Ericsson will be one of the global suppliers of the cloud-based virtualization project called UNICA. Telefonica will be selecting other partners as well. Ericsson will begin deployment of the infrastructure and software to Telefonica Germany during 2016.
Telefonica, according to the UNICA virtualization projects, aims at virtualizing network functions in an automated way across all of Telefonica’s operations.
Ericsson, which competes with telecom network makers such as Nokia, ZTE and Huawei, will supply the Hyperscale Datacenter System 8000, Ericsson Cloud Manager, OpenStack based Cloud Execution Environment, Cloud SDN and automation for the project. In addition, Ericsson will provide systems integration and support services to deploy the certified solution in Germany.
Enrique Blanco, global CTO of Telefonica, said: “Ericsson’s reach and technology in network virtualization were key factors in the decision to make them part of this project.”
Telefonica will certify the Ericsson solution to ensure fulfillment of UNICA roadmap during Q1 and Q2, targeting the rollout of UNICA in Germany during Q4 2016.
The announcement was made the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2016) in Barcelona.
