Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been selected to host O2 Telefónica Germany's 5G Standalone (5G SA) network.
The telco confirmed this week it has launched its 5G Cloud Core, built entirely in the cloud, using technology from vendors Nokia and AWS.
In doing so, Nokia claims that the move to host a 5G Core network entirely on a cloud network is the first deployment of its kind from a telco.
Following the launch, the carrier claims that the network will be able to deliver ultra-low latency for advanced 5G services.
O2 Telefónica notes that the 5G Cloud Core will initially be designed for a capacity of up to one million customers in the first phase.
“We are building our network of the future. With the launch of the new, cloud-based 5G core network, we are doing pioneering work and are taking a major step in our transformation process," said Mallik Rao, chief technology & information officer (CTIO) of O2 Telefónica.
"With the new 5G Cloud Core, we are moving away from traditional architectures and instead focusing on modern, high-performance, and efficient network technologies. In doing so, we are relying on the quality and global expertise of Nokia and AWS."
According to O2 Telefónica, the network is "designed for high availability with the cloud."
It notes that if individual servers fail, traffic will be automatically routed to other servers to achieve service resilience.
By operating in the cloud, O2 Telefónica added that manual repairs can be done without service disruption, improving network availability, which is particularly important for modern 5G applications.
The company also claims the network is more energy efficient, pointing out that only the necessary resources are utilized.
"It will bring O2 Telefónica the ability to dynamically scale and allocate 5G network capabilities to meet customer needs, as well as the needs of the new applications that will run on top of the new core," added Fabio Cerone, general manager telecom EMEA at AWS.
AWS has previously struck cloud deals with other telcos, including Telenor and BT.
