In the wake of securing Vodafone-Idea's core network functions activity in India, IBM Red Hat has also won a similar order from its close competitor Bharti Airtel to build a 5G-enabled telecom network on its open universal hybrid cloud, according to reports. Under the deal, IBM Red Hat would build the new telecom network to support core operations, monetize its pan-India 4G network using new services, and ensure Bharti-Airtel is competitive with rival rival Reliance Jio Infocomm. IBM Red Hat would also help Airtel build its next-generation core network, business and consumer services and analytics, as well as its open standards-based cloud platform.
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(Image credit: Shutterstock/Laborant) Airtel's plan is to adopt an open cloud architecture using the Red Hat OpenStack platform for all network workloads and for newer containerized workloads, the company plans to use Red Hat OpenShift. In addition, the network would help create new revenue streams through the integration of third-party services, including gaming, remote multimedia production, and business services. The company aims to improve time to market for services, reduce operating expenses and reduce capital spending. Airtel's network cloud is embedded with AI and is designed to facilitate integration automation and enhance monitoring and prediction capabilities for various network equipment provider services. " "Our goal with this powerful and transparent horizontal approach is to future-proof our network and enable Airtel to respond effectively to the sharp increase in data consumption. Hybrid cloud architecture will resonate with our customers' obsession with offering network flexibility, stability and performance and bringing agility and automation to our network operations," Bharti Airtel CTO Randeep Sekhon said in a prepared statement. While Reliance Jio is the market leader in the Indian mobile space in terms of subscribers, Vodafone-Idea is far behind, followed by Bharti Airtel and state-owned company BSNL Limited.At last count, Reliance Jio had 375 million subscribers, followed by Vodafone-Idea with 329 million, Bharti Airtel 328 million and BSNL123 million.