5G Factor: Why the Cloud is Key to the Nokia/Red Hat Deal, Azure for Operators 5G Modern Connected Apps Push, and the Completion of the HPE Acquisition of Athonet

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Steven Dickens for a look at 5G news and what’s going on that caught our attention. Our conversation focused on: Red Hat Becomes the Primary Infrastructure Platform for Nokia's Core Network Applications. Nokia and Red Hat reached an agreement to integrate Nokia’s core network applications with Red Hat OpenStack Platform and RedHat OpenShift. 350 personnel at Nokia will be transferring to Red Hat as Nokia moves on from developing the platforms that host its software. The duo will jointly support and evolve existing Nokia Container Services (NCS) and Nokia CloudBand Infrastructure Software (CBIS) customers while developing a path for customers to migrate to Red Hat’s platforms. We delve into the implications for the 5G ecosystem and telco cloud journeys. Azure for Operators: Build 5G Modern Connected Apps at the Edge. Azure for Operators (AfO) is targeting the advancement of 5G modern connected apps across cloud computing fabrics, especially the edge. AfO brings Azure Public MEC, which leverages the mobile operator’s public 5G network connectivity, and Azure Private MEC, which brings the power of the cloud to the enterprise's own infrastructure, as key solution offerings. We explore why AfO can move the needle in driving 5G modern connected apps across 5G environments. HPE Completes Acquisition of Private 5G Specialist Athonet. With the acquisition of Athonet, HPE sets the company’s sights on bringing private 5G and WiFi together to augment and innovate enterprise connectivity, including using HPE GreenLake’s edge compute and security/SASE portfolio assets. HPE’s Aruba portfolio is already widely deployed throughout global WiFi implementations putting HPE in a strong position to drive private 5G and WiFi services and capabilities, including mixed network scenarios, according to customer needs. HPE also gains 450 more deployments across major verticals such as healthcare, transportation, utilities, and government. We assess what the completion of the acquisitions means for the private 5G market and the overall 5G ecosystem.