Enabling Autonomous Networks at Web Scale
As communications service providers (CSPs) shift to 5G and cloud-native network architectures, automation has moved from an operational enhancement to a business-critical necessity. The days of script-based, siloed automation are fading. In their place, we are witnessing the rise of deeply integrated, intent-driven automation systems capable of adapting to business needs, traffic conditions, and service priorities in real time.
To meet this demand, Nokia’s 5G Core Automation offering – supported and delivered by Infinity Technology Solutions, North America’s leading value-added Nokia distributor – combines cloud-native software, closed-loop intelligence, and CI/CD integration. The result is an end-to-end framework that allows CSPs and private network operators to automate, optimize, and scale core network operations faster, safer, and more intelligently than ever before.
Redefining Automation for the 5G Era
Legacy telecom automation focused narrowly on reducing operational costs, often through element management systems (EMS) and isolated scripts. While useful, this approach was not scalable and could not support the complexity and responsiveness required by 5G services.
In contrast, 5G core automation is foundational. The scale of devices, the expectations for ultra-low latency, and the rise of SLA-based business services demand automation that can span multi-cloud environments, react in real time, and orchestrate across virtualized and containerized network functions.
This shift marks a paradigm change – from telco-specific tooling to web-scale cloud-native automation.
From DevOps to DelOps: Designed for Telco Complexity
Traditional DevOps principles – rooted in webscale IT – struggle when applied to heterogeneous CSP environments. Recognizing this, Nokia developed DelOps (Delivery Operations): a telco-specific extension of CI/CD designed to handle the realities of core networks.
With DelOps, automation is extended beyond software delivery into operations, bringing CI/CD benefits to every layer of the network lifecycle, including:
- Design and planning of core configurations
- Automated deployment and testing on CSP or public cloud infrastructure
- Configuration and customization of cloud-native network functions
- Ongoing operations, including self-healing, performance tuning, and updates
This results in faster feature delivery, reduced human error, and improved service reliability – all critical in 5G’s dynamic service landscape.
The Business Case for 5G Core Automation
Beyond operational benefits, automation is essential to unlocking the financial and competitive potential of 5G. Nokia’s automation framework enables CSPs to:
- Operate efficiently through zero-touch lifecycle management, elastic scaling, and cloud-native orchestration
- Diversify services with the rapid rollout of new vertical use cases and tailored network slices
- Deliver quality with continuous testing, self-healing capabilities, and reduced outages from human error
In practice, these advantages translate into measurable gains:
- Reduced costs from automated processes and smarter resource allocation
- Accelerated service time-to-market via integrated DevOps/DelOps delivery pipelines
- Improved network stability and uptime, driving higher customer satisfaction
Intent-Based Orchestration and GitOps-Enabled Control
One of the most powerful advancements in Nokia’s 5G Core Automation suite is its support for intent-based orchestration. Rather than manually defining every rule or behavior, operators define the desired end state, and the system determines how to achieve it.
This is paired with GitOps workflows, where version-controlled configuration files act as the network’s single source of truth. Every change is tracked, validated, and automatically reconciled in real time to keep the network compliant and stable.
This model:
- Simplifies complex network management
- Increases transparency and auditability
- Accelerates rollback, troubleshooting, and recovery
- Supports multi-vendor, multi-cloud flexibility
By combining these practices, Nokia enables CSPs to manage modern network complexity without sacrificing control.
Five Key Use Cases for Core Network Automation
Nokia’s automation solutions are already being used across various 5G deployments. Five of the most impactful use cases include:
Core Network Updates
Zero-touch delivery of new software, patches, and features with continuous validation for quality and stability.
Configuration and Customization
Intelligent automation of environment-specific configurations across thousands of nodes and services.
Core Optimization
Real-time analytics and closed-loop feedback to optimize performance and resource use.
Self-Healing Networks
Automated fault detection, isolation, and recovery—leveraging cloud-native redundancy and AI-driven insights.
Slice Creation and Validation
Dynamic orchestration of end-to-end network slices with automated SLA monitoring and assurance.
Each of these use cases demonstrates how automation moves beyond scripting into autonomous, business-aligned networking.
Cloud-Native by Design, Cloud-Agnostic in Deployment
True automation is only possible in a fully cloud-native environment. Nokia has re-architected its entire 5G core software portfolio to operate as Cloud-Native Network Functions (CNFs) using microservices and containers.
This enables deployment across:
- Private clouds hosted on Red Hat, VMware, or Nokia’s infrastructure
- Public clouds ,including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud
- Hybrid and edge deployments for ultra-low-latency use cases and local data processing
By decoupling automation from infrastructure, Nokia empowers operators to deploy where it makes sense, without losing observability, consistency, or performance.
Security and Reliability in Automated Operations
As automation scales, so too must trust. Nokia’s automation stack is built on a defense-in-depth security architecture featuring:
- Role-based access and multi-tenant controls
- Zero-trust enforcement and encryption at every layer
- Integrated anomaly detection via AI/ML
- Continuous compliance monitoring and alerting
These tools ensure that automation enhances—not compromises—network security. Because everything is tracked, tested, and versioned, operators can confidently roll back, audit, or troubleshoot any change at any time.
Infinity Technology Solutions: Driving Automation in 5G Core
As Nokia’s #1 North American Value-Added Distributor, Infinity Technology Solutions is the go-to partner for CSPs and enterprises deploying Nokia’s 5G Core Automation solutions.
Infinity provides:
- Architecture consulting and DevOps pipeline integration
- Deployment services for cloud-native network functions and CI/CD workflows
- DelOps methodology alignment and support
- Lifecycle care, including monitoring, updates, and optimization
- Vertical-specific expertise for utilities, government, education, and industrial clients
Our team works closely with clients to ensure that automation isn’t just a technology upgrade – it’s a business transformation.
From Network Operations to Network Autonomy
In 5G, automation is no longer optional – it’s foundational. From CI/CD and slice orchestration to fault healing and dynamic scaling, Nokia’s 5G Core Automation unlocks the agility, intelligence, and speed CSPs and enterprises need to lead in a digital-first world.
With Infinity Technology Solutions as your partner, you gain access to the technologies and expertise required to automate every 5G core lifecycle phase – securely, strategically, and at scale.
Let’s build the living network – together.
About Infinity Technology Solutions
Infinity Technology Solutions specializes in broadband and critical communications infrastructure development. We help our channel partners create and deploy private wireless, microwave backhaul, IP/MPLS, and optical networking technologies.
For more information, give us a call or fill out the contact form below.
