Last Updated on 08/11/2020 by Tuhin
While talking about cloud-based business, nothing is as wide-spread and influential as telecommunications companies. Because of software-defined networking (SDN) and Network functions virtualization (NVF), telecom services are completely run on the cloud. Canonica, best known for its Linux-based OS Ubuntu, has won a significant customer for its Charmed OpenStack cloud software. The customer is none other than MTS, the largest telecom company in Russia.
With over 80 million subscribers, MTS is in need of a cloud service for its network, and this partnership would prove to be very beneficial and profitable for Canonical. With this new development, MTS aims to decrease its time-to-market and speed up the deployment of new services such as 5G. Another goal MTS aims to achieve is to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) of cloud infrastructure with the OpenStack software.
MTS is working with Charmed OpenStack to prepare this cloud service. The MTS cloud would be based on the popular open-source OpenStack cloud, and the stack runs on a combination Metal-as-a-Service(MAAS), Juju Operator Lifecycle Manager (OLM), OpenStack Charms, and the Ceph open-source storage stack.
Mobile TeleSystems, Russia’s leading mobile connectivity and digital services provider, offers a range of mobile, fixed-line, and digital services. MTS aims to redefine what telecommunications services are by offering innovative products beyond its core network-related businesses in various tech segments, including Big Data, financial and banking services, Internet of things, OTT, cloud computing, systems integration, and e-commerce.
OpenStack has often been a favorite choice for telecom companies. “All around the world, carriers love OpenStack. What started as an agile framework to deploy and manage network functions has grown to become a preferred platform for managing the evolution of networks from LTE to 5G,” said Mark Collier, Open Infrastructure Foundation’s COO. Last year, Canonical won a contract with BT, formerly called British Telecom, to use Ubuntu Linux and OpenStack to deploy 5G in the Uk, and around the globe.
The Charmed OpenStack model has been designed in such a manner, such that it is easy to deploy, and use carrier-grade private cloud implementation. This development is one of the reasons for Canonical’s success and popularity. It comes with enhanced SDN handling and edge compute capabilities.
Though the financials associated with the partnership have not been revealed Canonical is pleased with the deal. According to Regis Paquette, Canonical’s VP of Global Alliances, “Canonical is truly excited to partner with MTS and provide a platform on which they can roll out their 5G network.”
