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British Telecommunications (BT) has selected Juniper Networks to deliver its network cloud infrastructure initiative across Asia Pacific (APAC), through a global partnership.
The agreement will underpin BT’s 5G capability and pave the way for the provider’s network cloud roll-out, designed to create a single platform flexible enough to meet technology requirements across various lines of business.
Once complete, the new platform will create new converged services bringing mobile, Wi-Fi, and fixed network services together.
“BT is a global leader in ultrafast services, with growing demand from our ultrafast broadband services and ultrafast 5G services and has the perfect opportunity to combine several discrete networks into a unified, automated infrastructure,” said Neil McRae, chief architect at BT.
“This move to a single cloud-driven network infrastructure will enable BT to offer a wider range of services, faster and more efficiently to customers in the UK and around the world.
“We chose Juniper to be our trusted partner to underpin this Network Cloud infrastructure based on the ability to deliver a proven solution immediately, so we can hit the ground running. Being able to integrate seamlessly with other partners and solutions and aligning with our roadmap to an automated and programmable network is also important."
The new platform will also allow BT to combine a range of currently discrete network functions and deploy them on a cloud infrastructure that is built to a common framework across its global sites.
Such services include BT’s voice, mobile core and radio/access, global services, ISP, TV and IT services, as well as a host of internal applications, which will go towards cutting operational expenditure and simplifying operations throughout the organisation.
“As a renowned global service provider, BT is a shining example of how to evolve networks to become more agile,” said Bikash Koley, CTO of Juniper Networks. “By leveraging the ‘beach-front property’ it has in central offices around the globe, BT can optimise the business value that 5G’s bandwidth and connectivity brings.
"The move to an integrated telco cloud platform brings always-on reliability, along with enhanced automation capabilities, to help improve business continuity and increase time-to-market while doing so in a cost-effective manner."
BT has continued to invest significant resources across the APAC region, most recently opening a new office in Singapore in early 2019 that will act as its regional cyber security hub, including a new experience centre that showcases its global connectivity services, cloud migration as well as cyber security services.
