BT Pick Juniper to Support Cloud-Driven 5G Mobile and Unified Network

Telecoms giant BT (EE) has announced that their new 5G based UK mobile broadband network will be underpinned by a cloud-driven platform from Juniper Networks. As a result the operator hopes to enable a more flexible, virtualised and unified network infrastructure that can deliver to various different requirements.

BT’s Network Cloud roll-out is expected to support their vision of a single converged all-IP platform (here), which will bring mobile, WiFi and fixed line broadband networks closer together. Some aspects of this have already launched (e.g. BT Plus supporting products and the Keep Connected Promise) but the “seamless connectivity” goal is not expected to be fully realised until 2022.

Obviously this is a major undertaking and the ability to control crucial aspects via a single platform and common framework is a key part of that effort, which is where Juniper Networks comes in with their scalable cloud solution. BT also hopes it will deliver a reduced time-to-market for network services ranging from internet access delivery to TV and business network functions.

To accomplish the evolution toward a more agile, virtualised network, BT has said they are investing in a range of Juniper solutions across various tenants within the BT network (e.g. cloud operations management using AppFormix, a scalable and flexible spine and leaf underlay fabric using the QFX Series and dynamic end-to-end networking policy and control for telco cloud workloads using Contrail Networking).

Neil McRae, BT Chief Architect, said:

“BT is a global leader in ultrafast services, with growing demand from our ultrafast broadband services and ultrafast 5G services and has the perfect opportunity to combine several discrete networks into a unified, automated infrastructure. This move to a single cloud-driven network infrastructure will enable BT to offer a wider range of services, faster and more efficiently to customers in the UK and around the world.

We chose Juniper to be our trusted partner to underpin this Network Cloud infrastructure based on the ability to deliver a proven solution immediately, so we can hit the ground running. Being able to integrate seamlessly with other partners and solutions and aligning with our roadmap to an automated and programmable network is also important.”

Bikash Koley, CTO of Juniper Networks, said:

“As a renowned global service provider, BT is a shining example of how to evolve networks to become more agile. By leveraging the ‘beach-front property’ it has in central offices around the globe, BT can optimise the business value that 5G’s bandwidth and connectivity brings. The move to an integrated telco cloud platform brings always-on reliability, along with enhanced automation capabilities, to help improve business continuity and increase time-to-market while doing so in a cost-effective manner.”

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