Telstra and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have signed a framework agreement with the intent to develop differentiated multi-access edge computing solutions that will bring cloud services closer to Australian customers and their devices while delivering game changing speed and flexibility.

Telstra intends to explore a range of AWS’s edge compute solutions that give organisations the ability to deploy applications closer to end customers to increase their resilience and performance, delivering a faster and more seamless user experience

To bring new differentiated capability to customers, AWS and Telstra will plan how to integrate AWS edge compute solutions with Telstra’s multi-access network. For example, integrating AWS’s edge compute solutions and Telstra’s 5G network enables application traffic from 5G devices to reach cloud services running in edge compute locations without leaving the Telstra network. This prevents the latency that would result from multiple hops to the internet, and means customers in industries that require low-latency and resilience such as media and entertainment, manufacturing, healthcare, and gaming can take full advantage of the low-latency and high-bandwidth benefits, which can deliver greater speed and flexibility.

The collaboration will help Telstra accelerate digital transformation for enterprise and government customers by facilitating a wide range of transformative capabilities that require resilience and low latency, such as autonomous industrial equipment, smart cars and cities, Internet of Things (IoT), and augmented and virtual reality.

Telstra Enterprise Group Executive David Burns said, “We want to help Australian businesses benefit from ultra-fast response times and enhanced resilience that comes with embedding AWS edge computing solutions at the edge of Telstra’s multi-access network. For example, by bringing our customers and their mission critical applications closer together via our 5G network collaboration, regardless of work location, Australian businesses can transform the way they operate and serve their customers.”

AWS Managing Director in Australia and New Zealand, Adam Beavis said, “The collaboration between AWS and Telstra will enable highly responsive experiences on new 5G networks. With AWS edge computing solutions, Telstra can build and deploy applications even closer to its customers, and deliver more seamless user experiences in such areas as industrial robotic and drone automation, connected vehicles, ML-assisted healthcare, and immersive entertainment.”

New Telstra and AWS ‘Centre of Excellence’ set to transform local organisations

Together with AWS under a new Strategic Collaboration Agreement, Telstra will launch a new Centre of Excellence to help mid-market, enterprise, and government organisations with their digital transformation by harnessing the latest in cloud technology.

The Centre of Excellence will include Telstra Purple, a team of consulting and managed services professionals, alongside AWS Professional Services, a dedicated team of business experts, who will work with Telstra to deliver product and customer innovations, and participate in joint go-to-market activities.

“COVID-19 has accelerated our customers’ need for flexibility and reduced costs, which is driving a greater adoption of cloud applications and seeing more workloads move to public clouds. With every cloud migration, organisations also need a flexible, modern network to support their application performance. We’re excited to join forces with AWS to bring a leading cloud platform together with Telstra’s leading network and telco expertise to deliver a very compelling proposition for our customers,” said Burns.

The new Strategic Collaboration Agreement is a key pillar in Telstra’s strategy to grow its next generation cloud professional and managed services portfolio, delivered by Telstra Purple, the largest Australian owned IT services team in the country.

“We are investing in partners, tools and systems to standardise and scale our managed services, with deeper integration and more automation to improve our Network Applications and Services business margin. It will also help us build on our market leading professional services by enabling us to serve new enterprise and mid-market businesses, to really drive digital transformation at scale,” said Burns.

The collaboration with AWS will be supported by a boost to Telstra’s training, accreditation and certification program with a new AWS Cloud Guild, a tailored training program which aims to train more than 4,000 employees on AWS cloud by 2025. This will enable Telstra empower employees to apply innovative, cloud-first thinking to accelerate adoption and drive digital transformation. The training will build on the significant expertise Telstra Purple already has as an Advanced Tier Partner in the AWS Partner Network, certified in migration, devops, containerisation and as a member of its Managed Services Provider Program.

“AWS is committed to strengthening our collaboration with Telstra to transform the way our customers operate, and continue to drive local economic growth by harnessing the power of digital technologies. We look forward to working closer with Telstra to support their internal drive to build new technical skills for staff, and help their customers leverage the latest in cloud technology,” said Beavis.