Swisscom has teamed up with NEC and Netcracker to develop its virtualisation capabilities and move to a cloud-based hybrid network and access layer.
The project will initially involve moving IT applications to the cloud and virtualising IT systems, which Swisscom said would speed up service provision and reduce capex and opex.
The first phase of the project will also involve NEC and Netcracker shifting Swisscom’s OSS solution to the cloud. Further, the two vendors will also supply their end-to-end Service and Network Orchestration solution and Transport SDN Controller to virtualise and manage Swisccom’s infrastructure and services.
Heinz Herren, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Officer at Swisscom, said: “Our Cloud Strategy is foundational to delivering the quality and innovation that our customers have come to expect from Swisscom. We are partnering with NEC and NetCracker to put in place the key elements of our Cloud Strategy due to their track records of innovation and delivery.”
The operator is also planning to build several Centres of Excellence with the first to focus on SDN/NFV and cloud transformation, supporting the testing of virtual network components and how they fit alongside physical parts of the infrastructure.
Shunichiro Tejima, Executive Vice President at NEC Corporation, commented: “NEC and NetCracker have already delivered SDN/NFV solutions for commercial networks and we are confident that we can help Swisscom leverage the cloud and orchestration solutions needed to achieve its business transformation goals.
“By combining NEC’s expertise in infrastructure technologies with NetCracker’s end-to-end suite of award-winning OSS solutions and IT background, we are thrilled in supporting Swisscom’s journey to the cloud and virtualisation.”