Top 10: Cloud Native Networks

The telecommunications industry is undergoing a major structural shift as networks move to a cloud-native model. Operators are replacing vertically integrated systems with a disaggregated, horizontal structure similar to cloud computing.

Network Functions Virtualisation and cloud-native functions are redefining how networks are designed, deployed and managed. The new approach introduces five layers of competition: silicon processing, cloud infrastructure, telco cloud platforms, cloud-native network functions and orchestration software. 

Together, the layers create an open, modular framework that allows operators to innovate, automate and scale services more efficiently across diverse network environments.

10. Oracle

• Revenue: US$55.7bn
• Employees: 162,000
• CEO: Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia
• Founded: 1977

Oracle stands out as a key driver of Cloud-Native Networks, uniquely enabling the monetisation and control of 5G. Its cloud-native Converged Charging System and 5G Core network functions allow operators to design, deliver and charge for innovative 5G services. 

Backed by deep OSS/BSS expertise and powered by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), it offers a fully integrated, high-performance telco stack. Milestones such as operator adoption in Hong Kong highlight Oracle’s pivotal role in accelerating the cloud-native transformation of modern communications networks.

9. Ericsson

• Revenue: US$247.9bn
• Employees: 99,950
• CEO: Börje Ekholm
• Founded: 1976

Ericsson stands as a global leader driving the evolution of Cloud-Native Networks, uniquely combining its vast 5G and RAN expertise with a bold transition to software-centric architectures. 

Its flagship Ericsson Cloud RAN virtualises network functions to run on commercial hardware and third-party cloud platforms, marking a significant milestone in network disaggregation. 

Successful collaborations with HPE and Intel highlight its progress. Ericsson’s hybrid approach – blending high-performance hardware with cloud-native agility – positions it as a pivotal force shaping the next generation of mobile connectivity.

8. Nokia

• Revenue: US$19.2bn
• Employees: 78,400
• CEO: Justin Hotard 
• Founded: 1865

Nokia is emerging as a bold driver of Cloud-Native Networks, uniquely redefining its role through deep innovation and strategic partnerships. 

Moving beyond its legacy as a RAN and Core leader, Nokia has gone “all-in” on the cloud-native future with its landmark collaboration with Nvidia. Together, they are developing the AI-RAN platform, an AI-native, 6G-ready network architecture integrating Nokia’s RAN software on GPU-based systems. The milestone positions Nokia at the forefront of transforming networks into intelligent, software-defined, cloud-native infrastructures.

7. Samsung Electronics

• Revenue: US$220.6bn
• Employees: 262,650
• CEO: Jun Young-hyun
• Founded: 1938

Samsung is a powerful driver of Cloud-Native Networks, uniquely combining vast financial strength with proven innovation in virtualised and Open RAN. 

Leveraging its position as a top-20 global company, Samsung was the first major vendor to deploy vRAN and O-RAN at commercial scale, partnering with Tier-1 operators across regions. Its vRAN 3.0 platform supports 2G–5G multi-RAT networks, showcasing leadership in open, software-centric architectures. Backed by its semiconductor and electronics divisions, Samsung continues to accelerate cloud-native network transformation worldwide.

6. Cisco Systems

• Revenue: US$56.7bn
• Employees: 86,200
• CEO: Chuck Robbins 
• Founded: 1984

Cisco is a leading force in driving Cloud-Native Networks, uniquely bridging enterprise networking expertise with next-generation 5G innovation. Building on its dominance in IP infrastructure, Cisco delivers a truly cloud-native 5G Core – containerised and Kubernetes-based – powering T-Mobile US’s world-leading cloud-native converged core. 

Its full-stack strategy spans routers, switches, compute and automation tools such as the Network Services Orchestrator (NSO). 

By integrating performance, reliability and orchestration, Cisco offers operators a secure, end-to-end and simplified path to cloud-native network transformation.

5. IBM

• Revenue: US$62.8bn
• Employees: 270,300
• CEO: Arvind Krishna
• Founded: 1911

IBM is a pivotal enabler of Cloud-Native Networks, uniquely positioned through its acquisition of Red Hat. The US$34bn investment secured control of the most strategic telco software layer, the horizontal cloud platform. Red Hat OpenShift, IBM’s enterprise Kubernetes platform, has become the de facto standard for telco clouds, adopted by major operators like T-Mobile US. 

Enabling a “develop once, deploy anywhere” model, IBM serves as the neutral foundation for multi-vendor, cloud-native networks spanning core, edge and RAN environments.

4. Broadcom

• Revenue: US$51.5bn
• Employees: 37,000
• CEO: Hock Tan
• Founded: 1961

Broadcom has become a significant force in driving Cloud-Native Networks, uniquely combining its silicon heritage with new dominance in telco cloud infrastructure.

Following its US$69bn acquisition of VMware, Broadcom gained control of the VMware Telco Cloud Platform, the NFV infrastructure powering more than 150 operators worldwide. The platform enables the transition from virtualised to cloud-native functions within “sovereign cloud” environments. 

By uniting silicon, software and infrastructure, Broadcom now supports much of the global telco cloud, creating a robust, industry-defining foundation.

3. Alphabet (Google)

• Revenue: US$359.3bn
• Employees: 183,320
• CEO: Sundar Pichai
• Founded: 1998 (Google) / 2015 (Alphabet)

Alphabet’s Google is a leading force in Cloud-Native Networks, uniquely positioned through its invention of Kubernetes and its multi-cloud platform, Anthos. 

As a top-tier hyperscaler, Google enables operators to manage and orchestrate containerised workloads across clouds, data centres and the network edge.

Its Google Distributed Cloud Edge (GDCE) extends the capability, delivering low-latency support for 5G Core, vRAN and private 5G deployments. By uniting scalability, flexibility and edge intelligence, Google offers telcos a truly distributed, cloud-native network platform.

2. Amazon (AWS)

• Revenue: US$637.9bn
• Employees: 1,556,000 
• CEO: Andy Jassy
• Founded: 1994

Amazon Web Services (AWS), the clear global leader in Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) with a market share of around 30%, has become a transformative force in driving cloud-native networks.

Its approach goes far beyond traditional support for telecoms: AWS actively integrates into its infrastructure. Through AWS Wavelength, it embeds compute and storage capabilities directly into operators’ 5G network edges, enabling ultra-low latency and unlocking new possibilities for real-time, high-performance applications. 

Rather than building its own 5G network, AWS strategically positions itself as an extension of the telecom ecosystem. Its pioneering collaborations with DISH and O2 Telefónica, including the first migration of a live network and customers to a 5G cloud infrastructure, demonstrate that full carrier-grade networks can now operate on the public cloud. The milestones establish AWS as the definitive IaaS platform for cloud-native telecom innovation, reshaping how networks are built, delivered and monetised.

1. Microsoft

• Revenue: US$281.7bn
• Employees: 228,000
• CEO: Satya Nadella
• Founded: 1975

Microsoft, the world’s second-largest public cloud provider with a 22% market share, has emerged as the most ambitious force driving cloud-native networks. 

Unlike other providers, Microsoft is attacking every layer of the telecom stack simultaneously, aiming to become a fully integrated, carrier-grade, cloud-native vendor. Through its Azure for Operators initiative, it delivers hyperscale infrastructure (Layer 2) tailored for telecom workloads. 

Its acquisitions of Affirmed Networks and Metaswitch Networks marked a decisive shift, meaning Microsoft no longer merely hosts 5G cores but now builds and sells them (Layer 4). The pivotal moment came with its acquisition of AT&T’s Network Cloud technology and team, enabling Microsoft to re-engineer a Tier-1 operator’s private cloud into a carrier-grade platform offered globally (Layer 3).

The vertically integrated strategy – spanning infrastructure, platform and network functions – makes Microsoft uniquely positioned to provide operators with an all-in-one solution, redefining the boundaries between cloud providers and telecom vendors.