Google said it plans to build software platforms allowing mobile operators to run network services in virtualized environments.
Google recently bolstered its telecommunications-based software moves, announcing deals with Bharti Airtel and SK Telecom, and plans to build a platform designed to allow network operators to run network services in a virtualized environment.
The internet giant said the platform includes its software-defined networking framework, which allows for networks to adapt to new services and traffic patterns. It’s also said to build on Google’s existing efforts to partner with mobile operators on “richer” application processor interfaces designed to allow for the roll out of new features.
Google also said it would expand availability of its design and operational experience to the open source-based Central Office Re-orchestrated as a Data Center initiative. Google last year joined the CORD project as well as hosted the first CORD Summit at its Tech Corner Campus in California.
Mobile operators are expected to rely heavily on software-based solutions using SDN, network functions virtualization and cloud platforms to power and support their “5G” network plans.
“It’s great to see Google bring the benefits of their networking technologies to carriers,” noted Shyam Mardikar, CTO for wireless at Bharti Airtel, in a statement. “This will bring greater efficiencies and capabilities to mobile networks and enable us to rapidly innovate on new user experiences.”
Some noted Google’s push could impact current efforts by traditional telecommunication vendors like Cisco Systems, Nokia and Juniper Networks. Eric Jhonsa from TheStreet wrote the move has the ability to further commoditize software platforms.
“Since network intelligence is shifted to a controller and physical switches are just forwarding traffic there’s less of an incentive to have all of a network’s switches to come from one vendor whose systems can be trusted to play nice with each other,” Jhonsa explained. “And there’s certainly less need for these switches to consist of costlier, proprietary gear – the kind that Cisco sells many of – that feature specialized chips (ASICs) optimized to handle various advanced networking tasks. Commodity switches based on off-the-shelf chips from the likes of Intel and Broadcom can often get the job done.”
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