AT&T is part of a group looking to tackle SDN standards, though the carrier’s AIC deployment looks to be behind schedule.
Looking to push the pace of development and adoption of software-defined networking services, a cadre of companies and organization led by AT&T and Orange announced plans to release a set of standard application programming interfaces later this year targeting orchestrated carrier Ethernet services.
The collaboration, which includes AT&T, Orange, Colt Technology, MEF and TM Forum, plans to tap MEF’s Lifecycle Service Orchestration framework and TM Forum’s Open API framework as the basis for developing a set of standardized APIs for use across the telecommunications space. The standardization is said to allow service providers to work with each other’s SDN architectures in “near real time,” and enable “orchestrated on-demand services over more automated and interconnected networks.”
The work is being conducted within MEF and in partnership with TM Forum, with access open to members of both organizations. Details include the use of MEF’s LSO Sonata platform focused on the management, operational and business interactions between service providers, and using TM Forum’s work with nine service providers.
Plans include the standardization of eight API definitions, with an initial batch of three APIs set to target address validation, service availability, ordering, quoting, billing, assurance, testing and change management. Planned release of the first round of APIs is scheduled for year-end.
“Traditionally, each service provider uses different systems and interfaces to manage different aspects of its networks,” AT&T noted in a statement. “This creates friction and inefficiency when providing an end-to-end service. Our world is becoming increasingly connected. A ‘smart’ network is critical to deliver services to customers across many networks.”
AT&T cloud progress comes up short
AT&T’s claimed progress towards increased use of virtualized platforms may not be progressing across the organization as fast as expected.
In a recent blog post touting its software plans, the carrier said it had deployed 80 of its AT&T Integrated Cloud “zones” at the end of 2016, with plans for more than 100 deployments by the end of this year. AT&T had previously stated plans for 105 AIC locations at the end of 2016, which were to bolster the 74 locations established in 2015.
The carrier earlier this year did note it was ahead of schedule in terms of converting network functions to SDN control, having hit 34% of its overall target at the end of 2016, on its was to 55% control at the end of this year and 75% control in 2020.
As for near-term investment plans, AT&T said it was on track to spend around $22 billion on capital expenses this year, which is a significant step up from the $18 billion the carrier spent on capex in 2016. AT&T said more than 40% of its two-year total was targeted at bolstering its “portfolio of smart, agile, mobile and integrated business solutions worldwide.”
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