Telus Inks 10-Year Google Cloud Deal

Telus today announced a 10-year agreement with Google Cloud that exemplifies the importance of the cloud in 5G services for enterprises and its internal operations. Telus today announced a 10-year agreement with Google Cloud that exemplifies the importance of the cloud in 5G services for enterprises and its internal operations. The Canadian operator said it plans to use Google Cloud to assemble a multi-access edge computing (MEC) service running on the hyperscaler’s Anthos platform. It also said it plans to move core IT and network infrastructure to the No. 3 public cloud. Anthos is Google’s fully managed, Kubernetes-based platform that allows users to manage their data and applications in an on-premises environment or across cloud platforms from rivals like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft. Google announced the platform at its Cloud Next event in 2018, and made it generally available in 2019. Many details about the wide-ranging agreement are being withheld. A Telus spokesperson said Google Cloud will be one of the operator’s key partners in the delivery of 5G and MEC services, but also noted that both platforms are long-term initiatives that involve many cloud vendors, network providers, developers, system integrators, and customers.  The operator, in May 2019, announced plans to trial a mobile edge network with MobiledgeX, a Deutsche Telekom-backed startup working with multiple operators on MEC. Telus also declined to put a price on the contract with Google Cloud, or detail the extent to which it plans to move network functions, IT workloads, and other network infrastructure to Google Cloud. “While we will migrate a large number of systems and network infrastructure to Google, we will also continue to use and deploy systems supported by other partners,” the spokesperson told SDxCentral. Indeed, the agreement appears to be aspirational at least in the near term as Telus did not pin any dates to the multiple goals it intends to accomplish with Google Cloud. The operator is also framing the work against the backdrop of digital transformation and the role it could play in delivering more refined and efficient services to multiple industries. “Our strategic partnership with Google will propel our digital leadership across the communications technology, health care, and agriculture sectors, whilst amplifying our customers first priority, redefining how service is delivered in Canada and globally,” Telus CEO Darren Entwistle said in a statement. The agreement between the cloud and network operator calls for the companies to collaborate on the development of new services in communications, health care, agriculture, entertainment, security, and automation. On the automation front, Telus said it will use Google Cloud Contact Center AI to improve and lower costs for customer service.  Telus deployed its 5G network in five Canadian cities in June 2020 and said its 5G network reached 50 communities at the end of 2020.