Vodafone has teamed with Spirent, a subsidiary of Keysight Technologies, to automate the testing of its pan‑European 5G core voice network. The new platform cuts the time required to deploy software upgrades from months to days, delivering a 75% reduction in deployment time and enabling faster roll‑outs of new features.
The partnership follows Keysight’s October 2025 acquisition of Spirent for approximately $1.46 billion, which merged Spirent’s network‑automation expertise with Keysight’s broader test‑and‑assurance portfolio. The combined entity now offers end‑to‑end solutions for design, emulation, and testing, positioning it as a one‑stop shop for operators transitioning to cloud‑native networks.
The automated testing platform is a key enabler for Vodafone’s cloud‑native 5G Standalone (SA) core rollout across Europe. By accelerating software integration, Vodafone can deliver new services more quickly, reduce operational risk, and maintain a competitive edge in a market where rapid feature deployment is critical.
Dougie Rankin, Vice President of International Sales at Spirent, said the partnership demonstrates the importance of automated testing for modern disaggregated networks. “Vodafone recognized the need for speed and frequency in updating its network, and by fully automating its testing capabilities, we are helping them accelerate delivery of new products, upgrades and features while ensuring strict compliance and efficiency gains,” he said.
Industry observers see this move as part of a broader trend toward continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) in telecom. The complexity of 5G SA architectures and the need for rapid software updates make automated testing a strategic necessity, and Vodafone’s investment signals its commitment to staying ahead in a fast‑evolving market.
The collaboration also underscores the strategic value of the Keysight‑Spirent combination, reinforcing the combined company’s ability to support operators through the transition to cloud‑native networks and to capture a larger share of the growing 5G testing market.
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