Transforming Telecom Cloud Environments with Microsoft 

Dell is collaborating with Microsoft to redefine deployment and operations of open networks for communications service providers.

The telecom industry is transforming to an open and application-agnostic ecosystem, allowing communications service providers (CSPs) to integrate innovative applications and services into their networks and deliver more revenue-generating services to their customers. Multicloud technologies have become a fundamental pillar to support this ecosystem, eliminating vendor-siloed infrastructure stacks, providing efficient operations and developing a future-proof network foundation to pave the way for 6G and beyond.

Dell is collaborating with Microsoft to redefine the deployment and operations of multicloud, disaggregated networks, enable industry compliance and innovation and reduce risk for network operators making huge investments to modernize their networks.

“Network operators are looking to adopt cloud technology to modernize and monetize the network, lowering network total cost of ownership, driving operational efficiency and resiliency and improving security,” said Yousef Khalidi, corporate vice president Azure for Operators, Microsoft. “Our collaboration with Dell helps us deliver an innovative, carrier-grade platform to operators that are looking to deploy the next generation of network technology.”

Dell Joins the Microsoft Azure Operator Nexus System Integrator (SI) Program

CSPs are reassessing the traditional way to architect, build and operate their network infrastructure to leverage the multiple benefits of open, disaggregated and multivendor-friendly networks.

By joining Microsoft Azure Operator Nexus program, Dell will leverage its global network facilities to deliver CSPs a consistent Azure Operator Nexus experience, with tailored integration of software, hardware and services. Dell will handle all the pre-staging tasks to allow CSPs to deploy at scale anywhere in the network and reduce risk with fewer logistical hassles​.

Integrating pre-validated platforms in Dell facilities minimizes risk by shipping, pre-configured gold-standard infrastructure and ready-to-run operations sooner. Dell is ready to ship open, multivendor, fully integrated Azure Operator Nexus systems at a global scale.

Dell Intends to Build an Engineered System to Simplify Telecom Cloud Adoption

As an extension of our collaboration with Microsoft on Azure Operator Nexus, Dell intends to build an engineered system to further simplify telecom cloud network deployment and management, while lowering operational expenses. Our aim is to de-risk network transformation, optimize the deployment and ongoing maintenance of the network foundation and accelerate time to market for new services.

“Communications services providers need open network architecture, and they want partners that will drive system integration and services to accelerate the adoption of these technologies,” said Dennis Hoffman, senior vice president and general manager, Dell Technologies Telecom Systems Business. “In collaboration with Microsoft, Dell aims to deliver on this demand. We want to give network operators global choice and confidence to scale modern, cloud-native networks.”

Dell intends to offer end-to-end validation services, automated deployment capabilities and lifecycle management tools to deliver a fully integrated telecom cloud operations experience.

Dell has a strong history of collaborating with Microsoft to bring more value to customers, and we’re looking forward to working together to bring these innovations to the open telecom ecosystem.

Gautam Bhagra

About the Author: Gautam Bhagra

Gautam Bhagra is the Vice President of Partnerships within Dell’s Telecom Systems Business Unit. In this role, Gautam is responsible for managing global alliances with companies that are partnering with Dell in driving transformation within the Telecom sector. Gautam has two decades of experience within Telecom and IT organizations. He joined Dell in Dec 2022 to manage the global partnerships team within Telecom Business Unit. Prior to Dell, he held several leadership roles at Google. As one of the early employees of Google Cloud, Gautam had the unique opportunity to help build a successful partner ecosystem across EMEA and US. Most recently, Gautam was managing the Managed Services Provider partner business in North America, where his team managed some of the most strategic partners for Google Cloud. Prior to Google, Gautam worked at British Telecom, leading their Strategy team, and worked at Booz & Company on multiple consulting projects at a leading Telecom provider in the Middle East. Gautam got his MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona and has a Bachelor’s in Information Science. He is originally from India and currently resides in Austin, Texas with his wife, two kids and two dogs. He enjoys traveling and has visited over 45 countries and lived in six.