Telefonica targets private 5G boost with Microsoft deal - Mobile World Live 11 MAY 2021 Telefonica’s technology division and Microsoft unveiled a partnership to offer enterprises private 5G connectivity alongside on-premise edge computing, a move the pair hailed as pushing the adoption of smart factories and related use cases. The partnership involves combining Telefonica Tech’s private 5G connectivity with Microsoft’s Azure Private Edge Zone system. In a statement, the partners detailed plans to offer integrated communications systems offering “the highest levels of security, efficiency and performance” for business critical applications. Potential uses cited include processes within smart factories covering digitisation of equipment, enabling AI systems, and cases where data is not required to leave the site.