NEC, a Japanese IT conglomerate, is expanding its partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), to include its ongoing 5G network efforts.
According to an announcement made this week, the two companies will collaborate to help NEC create an “edge to edge 5G offering” that will support telecom carriers around world.
NEC announced that the partnership will combine AWS’ cloud and edge technologies with NEC’s high-performance cloud native open 5G mobile core, OS/BSS solutions, and local 5G use case examples. NEC’s system integration service will support this combined solution stack to allow customers to deploy and scale 5G networks efficiently, increase automation, and drive significant improvements in operational economics.
NEC and AWS signed a “Strategic Collaboration Agreement”, last November. The partnership was centered around NEC’s use of AWS to help Japanese organizations adopt cloud technologies. It provided guidance on regulatory compliance, a common migration structure, and NEC’s goal to double its AWS-certified engineers to 1,500 from 3,000.
This week’s announcement includes a number of updates to the initial agreement, including NEC’s effort to build a 5G network that is backed by AWS infrastructure. The company stated that this partnership will “accelerate telecom carrier’s cloudification of network workloads” and help enterprises to digitally transform themselves by deploying 5G infrastructure and applications at their network edge.
NEC hopes that AWS support will allow it to increase Japan’s adoption of hybrid environments. These hybrid environments combine both on-premises and online applications. It will create a “menu that connects cloud and on-premises environments securely, at high speeds, and with low latency.”
Doug Yeum, global head for Alliances and Channels at AWS made the announcement in a prepared statement. He said, “We are delighted that we have deepened our relationship with NEC.” “AWS is grateful for NEC’s commitment to AWS and delivery of high-quality solutions that accelerate customers digital transformations. We look forward to NEC’s expansion of services and further expansion of delivery capabilities to maximize these transformations.