Optus has expanded its partnership with Nokia to modernise its core voice infrastructure, selecting the Finnish vendor’s cloud-native IMS platform to power next-generation 5G voice services.

The deal sees Optus roll out Nokia’s Cloud Native Communication Suite (CNCS) on Red Hat OpenShift, marking a strategic shift away from a rival supplier.

The containerised solution is expected to enhance network resiliency, reduce operational complexity, and support the deployment of advanced 5G voice capabilities for over 10 million customers.

“Nokia CNCS provides us with a highly flexible platform that will improve resiliency and deliver faster, more intelligent services,” said Tony Baird, Chief Technology Officer at Optus.

Nokia’s CNCS brings built-in automation, energy efficiency, and the ability to scale in hybrid cloud environments.

This aligns with Optus’ move toward intent-based operations and reduced manual interventions – key priorities as the telco ramps up its 5G service offerings.

Raghav Sahgal, President of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia, said the upgrade will help Optus simplify operations and accelerate new service rollouts.

“By simplifying network complexity, CNCS allows operators to respond faster to customer needs and deliver a superior, frictionless experience.”

The new deal is part of a broader push by Optus to modernise its 5G infrastructure.

Earlier this year, Nokia was also selected to upgrade the telco’s regional network with its latest AirScale radios and Levante baseband gear, following a RAN-sharing agreement with TPG Telecom.