Mobile networks are starting to look more like software platforms than fixed telecom systems, and a recent change by Malaysia’s Tune Talk highlights how that change is unfolding in the region. Tune Talk said on recently that it has completed its move to a fully cloud-native mobile network operator architecture, built with telecom software provider Mavenir.
The company says the transition makes it the first operator in ASEAN to run its network operations fully on a cloud-native stack, replacing traditional hardware-centric systems with software-based network functions.
This signals a trend in telecom infrastructure: operators, especially smaller or digital-focused ones, are changing core network and business systems into cloud environments so they can launch services faster and automate operations more deeply.
From telecom hardware to software systems
Traditional mobile networks were built around physical equipment and tightly coupled vendor systems. Changes often required hardware upgrades, long integration cycles, and large capital spending.
Cloud-native telecom design takes a different approach. Network functions are broken into software components that run in containers or virtual machines, which are managed by orchestration platforms similar to those used in enterprise cloud deployments. This allows operators to update services using software releases not physical upgrades.
According to Tune Talk’s announcement, the new setup includes cloud-native operational and business support systems, which handle network management, billing, customer data, and service provisioning. Running these systems on the cloud may allow the company to introduce new goods or pricing models more quickly and scale capacity without the need for new physical infrastructure.
Cloud-native for smaller operators
The change may be particularly important for smaller mobile operators or virtual network providers. Without the legacy burden of large hardware estates, they can adopt cloud-first architectures more quickly and compete on service speed and digital features.
Tune Talk’s transition also gives it direct control over its digital service platform, which can help reduce dependence on legacy vendor workflows. Bernama reported that the company sees the cloud-native architecture as a way to improve operational agility and support new digital offerings.
Telecom groups are moving toward open, software-driven network models like Open RAN and cloud-native cores, hoping to reduce vendor lock-in and shorten deployment timelines.
Automation and AI rely on cloud-native network foundations
While the announcement focused on infrastructure, it also pointed to the operational changes that cloud-native networks make possible.
Tune Talk said the new platform can support automated network processes, zero-touch provisioning, and more advanced data-driven customer tools. The abilities depend on software-based orchestration and analytics pipelines that are difficult to run on older hardware-centric networks.
Automation can affect both technical operations and customer experience. Software-defined monitoring systems may help detect service issues faster, while automated workflows can reduce the need for manual configuration when adding users or launching plans.
AI-driven tools, which the company says it plans to expand over time, also rely on consistent data flows and scalable computing environments. Cloud infrastructure provides that foundation, allowing operators to process use patterns, network performance data, and customer behaviour at scale.
For enterprises in other sectors, this reflects a common pattern: AI adoption often follows cloud migration not the other way around. Systems need flexible compute, integrated data pipelines, and programmable infrastructure before advanced automation becomes practical.
Regulatory and operational considerations
Despite the benefits, moving core telecom systems to the cloud also raises questions about control and compliance.
Telecom networks handle sensitive customer data and national communications infrastructure, which means regulators often require strict oversight of where systems run and how data is stored. Operators must also ensure that cloud-hosted network functions meet reliability standards comparable to traditional telecom equipment.
The Tune Talk announcement did not detail where its cloud workloads are hosted or whether they run on public cloud infrastructure, private cloud deployments, or hybrid setups. Those choices can affect latency and regulatory approval in different markets.
Shifting critical systems into cloud environments can improve flexibility, but it also requires careful planning around data governance and service continuity.
Telecom architecture is changing
Tune Talk’s transition does not mean that cloud-native telecom networks will replace traditional systems overnight. Large operators with extensive legacy infrastructure may take years to complete similar migrations.
Still, the move offers a view into how telecom architecture is changing. As networks become more software-driven, the boundary between telecom operations and enterprise cloud platforms blurs.
The change could eventually affect how quickly operators roll out services, how networks handle demand spikes, and how new digital features reach customers.
More broadly, the development shows that cloud transformation is not limited to enterprise data centres or software firms. It is reshaping industries once defined by physical infrastructure, including telecom networks themselves.
See also: Amazon plans huge AWS investment to meet AI cloud demand
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