Nokia picks Pure Storage to power Red Hat telco cloud

Nokia has selected Pure Storage as the storage supplier for a reference architecture built on Red Hat OpenShift for its next-generation telco cloud.

The arrangement links Nokia's cloud platform work for telecom operators with Pure Storage's all-flash storage systems and Red Hat's OpenShift container platform. Nokia said the design targets cloud-native network functions and applications that it describes as related to autonomous network operation.

Nokia said it selected Red Hat OpenShift as its primary reference platform for core network applications in June 2023. Nokia has now added Pure Storage as the data infrastructure foundation for the telco cloud reference architecture that uses OpenShift.

Reference design

Nokia described the work as a reference architecture for service providers that want a consistent approach to data storage across different network sites. Nokia's model covers deployments that range from the edge to core data centres and public cloud environments.

In the technical design, Nokia cloud-native network functions run on Red Hat OpenShift. Pure Storage FlashArray serves as the primary storage layer. Nokia positioned the design as an option for telecom operators that want a more standardised approach than legacy environments that use different storage products for different network functions.

Nokia also said it uses a lifecycle-managed approach for the stack. The company said this approach aims at repeatable deployment across multiple network functions and multiple sites.

Partner statements

Pure Storage said the deal marks its first partnership with Nokia.

"Partnering with Nokia for the first time is a significant milestone that unites two innovators with a shared vision for the future of cloud-native networks. Pure Storage will provide the trusted, high-performance data platform underlying Nokia's next-generation container cloud CNFs and applications, delivering the scale, efficiency, and simplicity service providers demand. We're thrilled to bring the industry's leading all-flash technology into this collaboration and unlock new opportunities together.", said Maciej Kranz, General Manager, Enterprise, Pure Storage.

Nokia said it chose Pure Storage for OpenShift platform reference architecture work connected to telecom applications. It also linked the choice to its environmental priorities.

"Nokia selected Pure Storage as the storage solution for our Red Hat OpenShift platform reference architecture due to their industry-leading all-flash technology that delivers the unparalleled speed, scalability, and sustainability critical for today's demanding telecom applications, including Nokia CNFs, applications and AI workloads. Its inherent efficiency not only boosts performance but also significantly reduces energy consumption and embodied CO2e compared to traditional storage systems, firmly aligning with Nokia's environmental priorities.", said Marcelo Cheminn Madruga, Head of Portfolio Technology, Incubation and Architecture, Nokia Mobile Infrastructure Cloud and Network Services.

Red Hat pointed to its existing work with Nokia around OpenShift and said Pure Storage adds another component in the stack.

"Nokia and Red Hat have a well-established, globally proven collaboration built around Red Hat OpenShift as the foundation for Nokia's CNFs. This trusted collaboration provides service providers with a robust, open, and scalable platform for innovative services. Pure Storage enhances this ecosystem by delivering a high-performance, energy-efficient data layer that is already trusted by many global service providers running Red Hat environments. Together, Nokia, Red Hat, and Pure Storage offer a carrier-grade, integrated foundation for modern transformation.", said Honoré LaBourdette, Vice President of Global Telco Ecosystem Success, Red Hat.

Operational focus

Nokia framed the architecture around the operational demands of telecom networks, which can involve large numbers of distributed sites. The company said service providers often manage hundreds or thousands of network nodes. Nokia said the reference design aims at consistent behaviour across those sites.

Pure Storage highlighted features associated with all-flash storage. These include performance characteristics and storage efficiency features such as data reduction. The company also said its platform supports non-disruptive upgrades. Nokia linked those properties to change management and uptime across distributed deployments.

The companies also described the design as relevant for workloads beyond current cloud-native network functions. Nokia referred to "AI-driven network automation" in the context of future telecom operations. It also referred to AI workloads alongside network functions and applications.

Sales timing

Nokia said the OpenShift iteration featuring Pure Storage reached Ready for Sale status internally in December. The company said customer activities have already started. Nokia said it targets general availability in April 2026.

Nokia described two routes for telecom operators. One route uses a Nokia-led reference architecture that includes Pure Storage within the OpenShift-based infrastructure stack and Nokia lifecycle management. The other route involves customers procuring Pure Storage directly while using Nokia's reference guidance for deployments on OpenShift.