Google Cloud and Nokia recently announced a 5-year collaboration to create cloud-native 5G solutions for communications service providers and enterprise customers.

This strategic collaboration will use both Nokia’s 5G operations and networking abilities and Google Cloud’s AI, ML, and analytics technologies. The solutions will then be deployed and performed on Google’s Anthos platform.

By doing so, Nokia will migrate its premise IT infrastructure onto Google Cloud as well as its data centers, servers, and software applications. Nokia’s shift to a cloud-first IT strategy will strengthen its digital operations around the world. This will then lead to an expansion of the company’s innovation capabilities and enhance its delivery to customers.

Under this partnership, Nokia agreed to provide its voice core, cloud packet core, network exposure function, data management, signaling, and 5G core technologies as well as its IMPACT IoT Connected Device Platform.

The agreement seeks to drive important operational efficiencies and save money by reducing estate footprint, hardware energy consumption, and hardware capacity purchasing needs.

Nokia’s infrastructure and applications will then be deployed in the public cloud or in a Software-as-a-Service model.

By offering cloud-native applications, businesses will be able to benefit from lower latency and a reduction in on-site infrastructure, transforming their businesses in industries and offer connected manufacturing and digital consumer experiences. Besides, the 5G SA will help clients digitalize their industrial and manufacturing operations.

It is expected that by the end of the year, almost 15% of the world’s population will live in areas with 5G cellular coverage.