AT&T expects 5% of 150 targeted functions virtualized using NFV, SDN by year-end
AT&T’s network virtualization push continues as the telecom giant announced updates to its cloud migration plans, expectations of service efficiencies and an update on its drive to have 75% of network functions virtualized by 2020 at this week’s Mobile World Congress event. Those plans include the use of software-defined networking and NFV technology.
John Donovan, SEVP of technology and operations at AT&T, explained that approximately 40% of its “strategic app” had been moved to the cloud, with ongoing process paced at about one application migrated per day. Donovan added that the move has allowed for greater operational efficiencies over those applications working on dedicated hardware.
“We have 400,000 processor cores running these cloud IT apps, and they’re operating 50% more efficiently than on dedicated hardware,” Donovan said. “We’re scheduled to switch over the rest of our strategic IT applications by mid-2017.”
In addition, AT&T said it is in the process of moving its enterprise-focused voice over Internet Protocol and voice over LTE services into one network, which the company said will increase efficiency and improve voice quality.
Donovan also provided an update on AT&T’s progress in moving toward its virtualized future, explaining that the company plans to have 5% of the 150 network functions targeted virtualized and controlled with “our target architecture” by the end of this year, on its way to hitting its previous forecast of 75% control by 2020.
AT&T had initially announced its virtualization plans during last year’s MWC event with the launch of its User-Defined Network Cloud initiative that is part of its broader Domain 2.0 program.
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