China Mobile HK migrates to cloud core network

China Mobile Hong Kong has migrated its services to an NFV-based cloud core network provided by Huawei.

The operator has migrated its legacy networks to cloud networks based on the 3GPP system. Working closely with Huawei, the migration took only around six months, according to CMHK CEO Sean Lee.

“The synergy between CMHK and Huawei is expected to ensure our entire cloud networks will be smoothly put into commercial use, bringing better service to our customers,” he said.

CMHK’s new cloud core network provides services for more than 20 network systems including IMS, evolved packet core, mobile number portability, HSS/HLR and mobile switching center server.

Lee said the migration will pave the way for CMHK’s eventual migration to 5G based on the Network 2020 vision.

“On CMHK’s cloud network, network elements in [the] IMS, packet switched and circuit switched domains are co-deployed. VoLTE, VoWiFi and mobile data services are co-operated,” Huawei VP of cloud core networks Wang Yonge said.

“Compared to legacy core networks, cloud core networks are more elastic and robust. CMHK and Huawei are jointly developing new technologies, such as network slicing and edge computing to lead the transformation to cloud networks.”

News of the completion of the project comes shortly after CK Hutchison’s Three UK announced plans to deploy a fully integrated cloud native core network in collaboration with Nokia.