Google Cloud and Vodafone expand partnership

Google Cloud and Vodafone have announced a six-year strategic partnership aimed at driving the use of secure data analytics in support of new digital products for Vodafone's customers.

The deal is an expansion of an existing agreement between the two companies: the new deal will facilitate the creation of a new integrated data platform, called Nucleus, which has the capability of moving data from multiple systems into the cloud.

Nucleus will house a new system — 'Dynamo' — which will drive data throughout Vodafone, which will allow it to offer its customers personalised products across multiple markets.

Dynamo will allow Vodafone to tailor new connectivity services for homes and businesses by releasing smart network features, such as providing a sudden broadband speed boost.

Capable of processing around 50 terabytes of data per day, equivalent to 25,000 hours of HD film, both Nucleus and Dynamo are being built in-house by Vodafone and Google Cloud specialist teams.

"Vodafone is building a powerful foundation for a digital future," says Vodafone CTO Johan Wibergh.

"We have vast amounts of data which, when securely processed and made available across our footprint using the collective power of Vodafone and Google Cloud's engineering expertise, will transform our services, to our customers and governments, and the societies where they live and serve.

By generating more detailed insight and data-driven analysis across the organisation and with its partners, Vodafone customers around the world can have a better and more enriched experience. A key benefit is an enhancement of Vodafone's mobile, fixed, and TV content and connectivity services through the availability of personalised rewards, content, and applications.

The new agreement also means an increase in the number of smart network services in its Google Cloud footprint from eight markets to the entire Vodafone footprint. This allows Vodafone to precisely match network roll-out to consumer demand, increase capacity, and use machine learning to fix issues before customers are aware of them.

In addition, Vodafone will re-platform its entire SAP environment to Google Cloud, including the migration of its core SAP workloads and key corporate SAP modules such as SAP Central Finance.

"Telecommunications firms are increasingly differentiating their customer experiences through the use of data and analytics, and this has never been more important than during the current pandemic," says Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian.

"We are thrilled to be selected as Vodafone's global strategic cloud partner for analytics and SAP, and to co-innovate on new products that will accelerate the industry's digital transformation.