Airtel signs a deal with IBM and Red Hat to build Open Hybrid Cloud Network

IBM and its open-source software subsidiary Red Hat will build open hybrid cloud network for the Bharti Airtel to enable the 5G services.

The network cloud will allow the Airtel to deliver better customer experiences through enhanced network performance, network scale, and operations automation, notes the announcement.

IBM, along with the Red Hat, offers hybrid cloud and cognitive enterprise services using the OpenStack and OpenShift platforms as well as its ecosystem of network original equipment manufacturers.

In October 2018, IBM acquired Red Hat for USD $190.00 per share in cash leading to a total enterprise value of approximately $34 billion. The deal was closed in 2019.

Executive Opinion

Randeep Sekhon, CTO, Bharti Airtel, said, "As part of our endeavor to build a 5G ready network for India's requirements, we are pleased to collaborate with IBM and Red Hat in our cloud journey. Our goal with this powerful, seamless horizontal approach is to make our network future-ready and enable Airtel to efficiently serve the massive surge in data consumption. The hybrid cloud architecture will resonate with our customer-obsession by providing improved flexibility, network stability, and performance and bringing agility and automation in our network operations."

Steve Canepa, Global Managing Director, Communications Sector and Worldwide Head of Telecommunications, Media & Entertainment Industry, IBM, said, "Through its collaboration with IBM and Red Hat, Airtel will be building a modern, innovative and more responsive network infused with automation and AI, that will provide the consistency and agility needed for today's rapidly changing marketplace. IBM is a valued collaborator to many of the world's largest and most innovative communications service providers like Airtel as they transform their networks into open and secure hybrid multi-cloud platforms and prepare for the 5G and edge computing era."

Airtel's deal with IBM and Red Hat

The deal is also expected to reduce network lag, improve bandwidth availability, and automation. It will further enable Airtel's network for 5G and Edge Computing technologies. Advanced B2B & B2C applications can also be deployed on the hybrid cloud network, notes the announcement.

Airtel will develop its next-gen core network, analytical tools, and new consumer and enterprise services on the cloud platform.

Moving ahead, Airtel looks to monetize its cloud by on-boarding third party services such as remote and gaming media production.

Previously, Airtel also partnered with Cisco to launch India's largest 5G Services.