Editor’s Note: With 2015 now upon us, RCR Wireless News has gathered predictions from leading industry analysts and executives on what they expect to see in the new year.
There’s no question about why evolved packet core has lived such a fruitful life: mobile networks have used it for data connectivity over the years through 2G, 3G and 4G. Likewise, the architecture in place has evolved at the same pace ultimately to an all-IP core network. However, what was once used primarily for basic data services (e.g., browsing, e-mail) is now being used by mobile operators in rolling out myriad new services such as voice over LTE, mobile video broadcasts and machine-to-machine, which has made the push into virtualized EPC an inevitable change.
While the foundations and functions of EPC remain the same, it can now run on off-the-shelf hardware in generic data centers through the virtualized EPC. This gives mobile operators more options when designing and building their networks. Additionally, there’s been a lot of work on network function virtualization, which – at a high level – is simply taking those functions and making them work on cloud ecosystem hardware so that it can change the economies of scale for the solution.
Although 2014 was a good year in terms of the proof of concept testing for VEPC – learning about its capabilities and performance as well as the operational challenges in managing it – in 2015 we will see VEPC move into the initial stages of deployment. Operators will first take it into the field in limited commercial deployments, making sure it’s ready for full service by 2016.
Benefits as Virtual EPC realization continues to gain ground
There are three main advantages for VEPC deployment over traditional EPC.
• Reduced operational expenditures. Because the hardware and switches are shared with IT data centers within the cloud, operators will get a better price point. VEPC solutions that are available can cast a wider market, which tends to lower the cost due to a higher volume. There is less need to replace hardware every two years when it might become obsolete. Additionally, technologies around VEPC have become automated, which has further reduced expenditures. With a flexible platform, there’s a lot more you can do with VEPC.
• Rapid innovation cycle. With fixed systems and high-capacity systems, implementing new services requires continuously buying new hardware and investing heavily. Operators have to be sure that this new service will be successful before deploying new hardware because they are spending millions upfront. There is no room for failure, which in turn, delays deployments within new technology. With VEPC, they are working with the same infrastructure and only have to invest in new software services. Operators can try out the software and if worthwhile can implement it networkwide; if not, it’s a lot easier to try something different. It all stems from a rapid innovation cycle that leaves room for trial and error.
• EPC is tied with LTE. With the boom of LTE, the market for the EPC will grow. EPC is a key network function in LTE and, because there is higher user demand, there is also new EPC-spend on capacity. As capacity demands increase, there is a bigger push for new technologies, such as VEPC, to help satiate demand. VEPC is a way to handle the rapid user demand for LTE data services – video being a large driver of that.
As user demand grows, service providers will really ramp-up the momentum toward VEPC. In 2015, we will see deployments in baby steps – mostly by the operators – getting out any kinks for full deployment in 2016. The best part is that VEPC is an evolution, not a revolution. With cost savings, a rapid innovation cycle and its strong tie to LTE, we’ll see VEPC make the rounds in the very near future.
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