Nokia and Microsoft Unite Data Platforms for Telco AI

Telco Giants Merge Data Infrastructure for Network Automation

Nokia and Microsoft are deepening their technology partnership by integrating their data platforms to accelerate artificial intelligence deployment across telecommunications networks. The collaboration combines Nokia Data Suite with Microsoft Fabric, creating a unified infrastructure designed to help operators access and analyze network data in minutes rather than weeks.

The integrated solution is now available and supports multi-vendor telecommunications networks across hybrid, cloud-based, and on-premises deployments, according to details first reported by Automation Watch.

Why it matters

Telecommunications operators have struggled to move AI from pilot projects to production-scale network operations, largely because network data remains fragmented across incompatible systems. By dramatically reducing data preparation time, this partnership could help carriers deploy autonomous network management capabilities that improve service quality while reducing operational costs—a critical advantage as 5G networks grow more complex.

Technical Architecture Combines Complementary Capabilities

Nokia Data Suite brings prebuilt telecommunications data products, semantic modeling, and data quality controls to the partnership. Microsoft Fabric contributes its OneLake storage infrastructure and analytics engine, along with AI applications including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Foundry, and Power BI.

The architecture creates a unified data foundation that allows operators to aggregate information from different network systems and domains without extensive custom integration work.

"Telecom providers are ready to move AI from experimentation into everyday network operations, but that requires trusted data, strong governance and platforms that can scale," said Silvia Candiani, Corporate Vice President for Worldwide Telco & Media at Microsoft.

Initial Use Cases Target Network Operations

The platform supports several immediate applications for network automation. These include autonomous service assurance for voice over new radio, geographic analysis of radio access network performance, predictive maintenance, and automated fault management.

The system is designed to enable closed-loop network operations, where monitoring and analysis can trigger automated responses to network issues. It also supports automated root cause analysis to identify the underlying sources of network problems.

All automation capabilities operate with human oversight and within defined governance frameworks, the companies emphasized.

"Nokia and Microsoft are bringing the right data, at the right time, for the right reason to telecom operators worldwide," said Vivek Jaiswal, Senior Vice President for Autonomous Networks at Nokia.

Building on Existing Collaboration

The data platform integration extends an existing partnership between Nokia and Microsoft that spans cloud computing, data management, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The expanded collaboration aims to help telecommunications providers transition from experimental AI projects to routine operational use of network automation.

Details of the partnership expansion were first reported by Automation Watch.