Telefonica selects Ericsson for global UNICA program

• UNICA project aims to virtualize network functions across all Telefónica's operations
• Global partnership to start with Network Function Virtualization (NFV) deployment in Germany during 2016
• Ericsson to supply its new Hyperscale Datacenter System 8000, Ericsson Cloud Manager, Cloud SDN and automation, as well as systems integration and support services

Telefónica, one of the world's largest telecommunications companies, has selected Ericsson as one of the main global partners in their cloud-based virtualization project, known as UNICA. The program aims to provide the infrastructure and software required to implement the UNICA concept in Telefónica, and Ericsson will begin deployment in Telefónica Germany during 2016.

UNICA is one of the industry's most ambitious virtualization projects, aimed at virtualizing network functions in an automated way across all of Telefónica's operations.

As part of the agreement, Ericsson will supply the new Hyperscale Datacenter System 8000, Ericsson Cloud Manager, OpenStack based Cloud Execution Environment, Cloud SDN and automation required for the project. In addition, Ericsson will provide systems integration and support services to deploy the certified solution in Germany.

Enrique Blanco, Global CTO of Telefónica, says: "Ericsson's global reach and cutting-edge technology in the field of network virtualization were key factors in the decision to make them part of this project. We look forward to beginning this rollout in Germany in the near future."

Anders Lindblad, Head of Cloud and IP, Ericsson, says: "Telefónica's decision to select Ericsson for the UNICA project is further evidence that our hardware, our software and our skilled workforce are at the forefront when it comes to network virtualization."

Telefónica will certify the Ericsson solution to ensure fulfillment of UNICA functionalities and roadmap during Q1 and Q2, targeting the rollout of UNICA in Germany during Q4 2016.

Telefónica will continue to collaborate with other key players in order to complete its architecture focused towards a multi vendors approach.

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