The company has also unveiled new hybrid cloud AI-powered automation software for communications service providers
IBM building in Madrid (Spain). (Credit: Luis García/Wikimedia Commons)
US-based technology company IBM has signed hybrid cloud deals with telecom companies Verizon and Spain’s Telefonica.
Verizon has announced a partnership with IBM and Red Hat to deploy its 5G network as an open hybrid cloud platform with automated operations and service orchestration.
Under the partnership, the US telecom company will work with Red Hat and IBM Global Business Services (GBS) to build 5G core network services on Red Hat OpenShift.
The partnership is expected to enable Verizon to evolve to an open, cloud-native, containerised webscale platform that has the ability to utilise innovative applications to support advanced 5G use cases.
IBM Communications global GM and managing director Steve Canepa said: “Taken together, today’s news is an enormous step forward in how IBM is supporting Verizon’s position as a network-as-a-service leader in 5G.
“With this approach, Verizon gains more control over how they choose to drive new value for their customers. They have flexibility in how and where they move their data, and what tools and technologies they choose to develop these emerging 5G-enabled business solutions.”
In partnership with Telefonica Tech, Telefonica’s digital business holding, IBM has announced the roll out of new hybrid cloud solutions to support enterprise digital transformation using artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology.
The solutions include an AI-powered virtual assistant and a blockchain platform for enterprise assets.
The virtual assistant, which uses IBM Watson Assistant, is designed to streamline customer service for enterprises and public entities. It is deployed on Telefónica Tech’s Cloud Garden, a hybrid cloud platform that runs on Red Hat OpenShift.
By automating frequently asked questions and common tasks, the solution helps to eliminate the challenges of long wait times and tedious searches, thereby enhancing the customer experience.
Telefonica Tech and IBM have also developed a new blockchain solution to support companies in their asset traceability throughout the supply chain.
Separately, IBM has also unveiled new hybrid cloud AI-powered automation software for communications service providers (CSPs) to help simplify 5G adoption.
The IBM Cloud Pak for Network Automation is designed to enable CSPs to use AI-powered automation to manage networks rapidly in a range of environments.