VMware and HCL Technologies announced the companies will expand their collaboration to deliver integrated solutions for service providers around the world. HCL, specifically, will expand its Cloud Smart portfolio of services powered by VMware technology to include support for VMware Telco Cloud – 5G Core and VMware Telco Cloud RAN. In addition, HCL will set up a dedicated lab to streamline the deployment of these solutions across customers' networks.

HCL operates VMware-enabled labs across the globe to support customer deployment of VMware solutions. As part of this expanded partnership, HCL will establish a lab for onboarding, integration, verification, and performance benchmarking of various 5G Core and virtual RAN configurations on VMware Telco Cloud Platform. In addition, VMware will train additional HCL engineers on how to deploy, configure and manage VMware Telco Cloud Platform.

This will enable service providers – both existing mutual customers and new prospects – to quickly launch trials, Proofs of Concept (POC) and/or commercial deployment of VMware Telco Cloud Platform. VMware and HCL complement each other's abilities and the ties between both companies are extensive: 8,000 HCL professionals are trained on VMware technologies, 1,800 HCL engineers currently use VMware technology in customer projects, 1,600 certifications and accreditations are available on VMware technologies.