Microsoft this week unveiled its Azure Operator Distributed Services, which is the newest iteration of its hybrid cloud telco platform that combines AT&T's Network Cloud technology with Azure's security, monitoring, machine learning, and analytics.

This new wave of Azure for Operators, recently combined with the crown jewels of AT&T’s seven-year effort in SDN and network virtualization, is designed to support AT&T's mobile core network and includes more than 60 cloud-native network functions and virtual network functions from 15 vendors, Microsoft’s EVP of strategic missions Jason Zander wrote in a blog post.

The combination of AT&T and Microsoft’s efforts in this space is unique because it marks “the first time that a tier-one operator has embraced commercial hybrid cloud technology to run mobility network workloads,” Microsoft's VP of 5G strategy Shawn Hakl explained.

The cloud giant claims Azure Operator Distributed Services allows operators to run any type of workload on a single, carrier-grade hybrid platform while meeting the security, resiliency, observability, management, and performance needs operators require to realize the full value and benefits of digital transformation.

According to Andre Fuetsch, CTO of network services at AT&T, operators can host network functions in public clouds and on telco premises using Microsoft's telco cloud platform, which taps into the benefits of a cloud-native approach with 5G networks.

“We believe the result will be better resiliency across the network, cost advantages when it comes to scaling existing services, and a more effective introduction of new services resulting in continuous improvements to the customer experience,” Hakl added.

Microsoft also noted that security and privacy remain platform priorities. "We want to make clear that operators using Azure Operator Distributed Services continue to hold access to their customer data. Microsoft cannot access or see it," Zander explained.

The vendor said it's collaborating closely with AT&T on the platform's deployment, and the two plan to begin initial testing later this year. Microsoft is also working with operators in its broader partner ecosystem like Ericsson and Nokia to continue building upon its telco cloud platform.

Microsoft also announced Azure Operator 5G Core in private preview and Azure Private 5G Core in public preview, both of which are managed and deployed through Azure.

The Azure Operator 5G Core allows operators to build, deploy, and manage mobile networks at scale to handle 5G data demands. It's built on a distributed architecture that includes cloud management, service automation, lifecycle management, network slicing, and integrated analytics.

"This allows operators to provide an enhanced and customized user experience and leverage open APIs to easily integrate with their existing environments," Zander explained. Microsoft is working with a select number of customers and partners during the private preview, with plans to eventually expand availability.

Microsoft's private 5G core is available through Azure's private mobile edge computing (MEC) service, and provides secure deployment of private 4G and 5G networks at the enterprise edge. The provider says this packet core service allows for rapid deployment of enterprise private mobile networks and low latency on edge platforms connected to Azure Arc.

"Through Azure, partners can unify the cloud management of multiple, globally distributed private wireless networks," while maintaining flexibility to integrate other 4G and 5G standalone radio access network (RAN) technology, Zander said.