Nokia expands Azure networking agreement

Nokia has extended its multi-year agreement with Microsoft Azure by an additional five years, focusing on supplying datacentre routers and switches

This collaboration will leverage Nokia’s data centre networking portfolio to enhance the scalability and reliability of Azure datacentres globally. Through this partnership, Nokia will expand its presence to over 30 countries, solidifying its position as a key supplier for Microsoft’s global cloud infrastructure.

The agreement also builds on the companies’ existing partnership around open-source SONiC. Nokia continues to innovate in SONiC capabilities, particularly in supporting high-capacity network roles within chassis-based datacentre environments.

As part of the initiative, Nokia will provide its 7250 IXR-10e platform for multi-terabit-scale interconnectivity within Microsoft’s datacentres. Nokia will also maintain its delivery of a custom-developed top-of-rack switch extensively used across the Azure network. These SONiC-based routers and switches will support greenfield deployments and Microsoft’s transition from 100GE to 400GE connectivity in existing facilities. This shift ensures Microsoft can address rising traffic demands with Nokia’s high-performance, reliable networking solutions. Deployments of the 7250 IXR-10e will commence in February.

Vach Kompella, senior vice-president and general manager of Nokia’s IP Networks business, commented, “We are pleased to move to the next phase of our relationship with Microsoft by expanding the agreement’s product scope, geographical reach, and time commitment to five years. As a result of this new deal, Nokia will further increase the scalability and reliability of Microsoft Azure datacentres around the world. This win affirms Nokia's commitment to being a strategic supplier for tier one hyperscaler companies and highlights that our multi-year strategic investments and approach have put us on the right trajectory.”

David Maltz, technical fellow and corporate vice-president, Microsoft Azure Networking, added, “As leaders in the advancement of cloud compute, we are continuously expanding our global footprint to support the massive growth in compute workloads. Over the past six years, we have worked with Nokia's engineers to develop their routers running SONiC to rapidly advance our expansion at the quality our customers demand.”