ZTE and Red Hat have agreed to establish a Joint Innovation Lab focused on advancing AI-powered automation and open-source innovation for next-generation 5G core networks. The collaboration combines ZTE’s expertise in carrier-grade network infrastructure with Red Hat’s leadership in open-source, AI, and cloud-native solutions to develop open, scalable, and security-optimized telco cloud solutions. This initiative marks a significant milestone in their ongoing partnership, reinforcing a shared commitment to accelerating digital transformation in telecommunications.
Red Hat, which is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been a key player in the open-source community, offering software, support, and training to businesses worldwide. In 2019, Red Hat was acquired by IBM for approximately $34 billion, making it a part of IBM’s hybrid cloud and enterprise software strategy. The acquisition has enabled IBM to enhance its cloud offerings and leverage Red Hat’s expertise in open-source technologies to drive innovation in cloud computing, containerization, and automation.
ZTE is a Chinese multinational telecommunications and information technology company headquartered in Shenzhen, China. It is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of telecommunications equipment and mobile devices. ZTE is publicly traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, with its ownership structure primarily consisting of a combination of institutional investors and private stakeholders. The Chinese government, through state-owned enterprises and entities, holds a significant influence in ZTE.
The Joint Innovation Lab will integrate ZTE’s experience in network functions virtualization (NFV) and 5G core solutions with Red Hat’s open-source technologies to drive enhanced network agility, resource optimization, and reliability. AI and cloud-native architectures will play a central role in helping telecom operators modernize their networks with automated, decoupled, and flexible solutions. Service providers and enterprises will benefit from improved operational efficiency and the ability to deploy more intelligent and resilient network infrastructures.
By deepening their collaboration, ZTE and Red Hat are paving the way for telecom operators to embrace AI-driven automation and cloud-native technologies at scale. The partnership aligns with the industry’s shift toward fully digitalized, AI-powered networks, supporting the adoption of open, flexible, and secure network architectures. The Joint Innovation Lab will serve as a hub for ongoing research and development, fostering new use cases and accelerating the adoption of next-generation telecom solutions.
• ZTE and Red Hat sign MoU at MWC Barcelona 2025 to establish a Joint Innovation Lab
• Focus on AI-powered automation and open-source innovation for 5G core networks
• Combines ZTE’s carrier-grade expertise with Red Hat’s open-source and cloud-native leadership
• Aims to enhance network agility, resource utilization, and security with AI-driven solutions
• Supports telecom operators in transitioning to fully digital and AI-powered infrastructures
• Strengthens the industry’s move toward open, decoupled, and flexible telco cloud solutions
“This collaboration marks a significant step toward enabling AI-driven, cloud-native telecom networks that are more agile, secure, and efficient,” said Zhang Wanchun, Senior Vice President of ZTE.
