Google LLC said today it will work with Intel Corp. to try to accelerate 5G and network transformation for cloud communications service providers.

The partnership will see Google Cloud work with Intel to develop reference architectures and integrated solutions that can help CSPs to roll out their 5G and edge networks faster, the companies explained.

Shailesh Shukla, Google Cloud’s vice president and general manager of networking, said in a blog post that the companies intend to collaborate on three specific areas, including the development of virtualized radio access networks and open radio access network solutions that are necessary to enable 5G connectivity. They’ll also launch a network functions validation lab that companies can use to test their new network deployments, and create a platform to help CSPs deliver new business applications at the network edge.

“We believe that by partnering across the telecommunications stack, we can decrease the cost and time-to-market needed for the telecommunications industry to shift to cloud-native 5G, and open new lines of business for communications service providers as they deliver cloud-native 5G for enterprises,” Shukla explained.

VRAN is a new technology that’s designed to replace older radio access networks, which are the antennas and base stations responsible for providing connectivity to users. VRAN provides a new way of setting up this infrastructure that offers better efficiency.

Shukla said vRAN is a key ingredient for 5G as it improves performance and spectral efficiency, while enabling better cost efficiencies and more flexible deployment models. But it also has stringent networking, timing and processing demands, so CSPs need help to deploy, manage and upgrade network functions to get them up and running at scale.

Google said it will combine its Google Anthos hybrid application development platform with Intel’s FlexRan software and Open Network Edge Service Software. The vRAN solutions will also incorporate Intel’s Data Plane Development Kit and hardware infrastructure based on Intel Xeon processors.

Anthos is key to Google’s strategy, since it will enable CSPs to create better digital experiences at the edge that should lead to new monetization opportunities. But Google needs partners that can help create that infrastructure first. Intel, which has developed its vRAN software in partnership with VMware Inc. while investing heavily in the required hardware for 5G networks, is well placed to provide that help.

“As communications service providers build out their 5G network infrastructure, our efforts with Google Cloud and the broader ecosystem will help them deliver agile, scalable solutions for emerging 5G and edge use cases,” Dan Rodriguez, corporate vice president and general manager of Intel’s Network Platforms Group, said in a statement.

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