Microsoft, Nokia partner on cloud, IoT, artificial intelligence for service providers and enterprises
Microsoft and Nokia say they will collaborate to provide integrated offerings to enterprises and service providers based on their combined expertise in cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT). The combination will see Microsoft’s Azure, Azure IoT, Azure AI, and Machine Learning offerings combined with Nokia’s LTE/5G-ready private wireless, IP, software-defined WAN (SD-WAN), and IoT connectivity products. The two companies say they already have a first customer.
The first combined offerings include:
- the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud, 5G-ready industrial-grade private wireless broadband offering that will be paired with on-premises Azure elements
- integration of Nokia’s Nuage SD-WAN 2.0 platform with Microsoft Azure Virtual WAN to enable service providers to better offer branch-to-cloud connectivity; the two companies plan to offer more options for branch internet connectivity next year
- integration of Nokia’s Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) with Azure IoT Central to facilitate the onboarding, deployment, management, and servicing of IoT services
- hosting Nokia’s Analytics, Virtualization and Automation (AVA) services on Azure; Predictive Video Analytics, designed to ensure optimal video experiences for subscribers, is an example of this pairing.
Microsoft and Nokia have revealed BT as the first announced communications service provider who is leveraging the fruits of the collaboration. BT is offering a managed service to its enterprise customers that integrates Microsoft Azure cloud and Nokia SD-WAN offerings. BT customers can access the service through a customer automated delegated rights service, which the companies say enables BT to manage both the customer Azure vWAN and the unique Agile Connect SD-WAN based on Nokia’s Nuage SD-WAN 2.0.
“Bringing together Microsoft’s expertise in intelligent cloud solutions and Nokia’s strength in building business and mission-critical networks will unlock new connectivity and automation scenarios,” said Jason Zander, executive vice president, Microsoft Azure. “We’re excited about the opportunities this will create for our joint customers across industries.”
“We are thrilled to unite Nokia’s mission-critical networks with Microsoft’s cloud solutions,” said Kathrin Buvac, president of Nokia Enterprise and chief strategy officer. “Together, we will accelerate the digital transformation journey towards Industry 4.0, driving economic growth and productivity for both enterprises and service providers.”
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.