The news is out. Microsoft has announced its Partner of the Year Award winners. They received more than 3,900 nominations across 126 countries and regions for this year’s awards, so we're delighted to be recognized as their 2022 Media and Communications Partner of the Year. The award demonstrates excellence in innovation and implementing customer solutions based on Microsoft Azure.

We are excited about the possibilities that our partnership brings at the intersection of telecom innovation and the global scale of Microsoft Azure and its ecosystem. Let’s look at some of the work we’ve been doing together.

Optimizing and automating the networks

Nokia’s AVA on Azure enables carriers to move out of private data centers securely, efficiently, and at scale – managing their networks using AI-enabled automation. Integrating Nokia's security framework with Azure's digital architecture provides the means to securely inject AI into your networks nine times faster than a private cloud – boosting productivity, enhancing customer reputation, and growing new revenues.

Declan O'Rourke, Head of Radio and Device Engineering at TPG Telecom, agrees: "Nokia's AVA utilizes artificial intelligence and analytics to help us maintain a first-class, optimized service for our subscribers. It helps us predict and deal with issues before they occur."

Building SaaS solutions together

Nokia NetGuard Cybersecurity Dome was built on Azure and provides multiple security services to assure 5G business continuity. These services are based on an Extended Detection and Response (XDR) capability that collects, aggregates, analyzes, and correlates security data from various sources.

Integrated with Azure Sentinel, the cloud-based SaaS helps security operation teams contain, analyze, and rectify security incidents. Service providers will be able to deploy security components much faster than traditional on-premises SW/HW, resulting in reduced time-to-incident resolution and total cost of ownership (TCO) savings.

Accelerating digital transformation

Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) is an industrial-grade private wireless and digitalization platform. It provides robust, reliable, and widespread connectivity to deliver edge-cloud-based workloads essential for Industry 4.0 transformation.

Combining the platform with Microsoft’s Azure cloud, Azure Edge, Azure Orbital, and emerging Azure Space, AI, and machine learning technologies, has facilitated an agreement between Nokia, Microsoft, and South Australia’s Department for Trade and Investment. Together, they will explore space and 5G innovation for the benefit of industries.

Lynn McDonald, lead of Microsoft Azure Space in Australia, believes that by working with Nokia, new technologies to respond to the challenges of the changing world can be developed, tested, and deployed. She adds: “Our collaboration with Nokia will allow Australian organizations to take a giant leap forward into a new era, catapulting them to the forefront of digital innovation.”

Nokia and Microsoft bring technology to life

Nokia and Microsoft are also collaborating on other domains that will drive the future of the networks and cloud. Firstly, we want to combine Cloud RAN (vRAN) technologies with Microsoft Azure and developer ecosystems to drive end-user functionality via new business cases. Secondly, we’re integrating Microsoft Azure IoT Edge service so industries – such as smart cities, warehouses, and transportation hubs – can realize new capabilities at the Edge.

With the power of 5G, AI, and cloud, our partnership goes beyond building communications for the future. Together, we can make a sustainable world through efficient use of resources, and inclusive access to work, markets, and education.

A great example of the latter is our commitment to advancing digital equity by providing Airband ISP members with a cost-effective and high-performance radio access solution – enabling broadband connectivity with access to affordable internet, affordable devices, and digital skills.

The telecommunications sector is uniquely positioned to lead on sustainability as an industry, in partnership with other sectors, and for society. Watch the perspective of telco business leaders from Microsoft, Nokia, Deutsche Telekom, and Telstra discuss the importance of sustainability in general and opportunities in telecommunications.