AT&T enterprise SDN efforts expand with launch of Network Functions on Demand offer targeting enterprise customers across 5 regions
AT&T is continuing to target enterprises with its growing virtualized network platform, with the latest move coming from the expansion of its Network Functions on Demand offering.
The carrier said the platform allows business customers to deploy a single universal piece of equipment on site, select which virtualized functions to run on that equipment and set up those functions to work in different countries. The international capabilities are currently available in 76 countries and territories, including parts of the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The launch follows up on comments earlier this year from AT&T Business Solutions CEO Ralph de la Vega, who hinted that the telecom giant was set to expand its software-defined networking services.
Initial services being offered include Juniper Networks virtual routing, Cisco virtual router, Fortinet virtual security and Riverbed virtual wide area network optimization.
The Network Functions on Demand service is the third rolled out by the carrier over its growing SDN platform, which the company said would control 75% of network functions by 2020. AT&T launched its initial Network on Demand service early last year, pushing the platform to more than 100 cities across the U.S., and claims more than 1,200 business have signed up for the solution.
“There is no need to call a salesperson, there is no need to order equipment, there is no need to set up another connection – it happens in 90 seconds,” de la Vega previously explained about the platform. “And what I love about it is my revenue cycle is 90 seconds. That’s a pretty good deal when you can lower [capital expense], [operating expense] and shorten the revenue cycle for your business. So we have now turned up our Network On Demand, we have thousands of customers on it.”
AT&T’s software efforts are also helping boost support for the “internet of things,” with de la Vega explaining that companies are able to gain greater insight into data usage of devices connected through the AT&T platform and are then able to better manage their service needs.
As for the impact the move toward virtualized network platforms is having on AT&T’s bottom line, de la Vega said the carrier has done quite a bit to close the margin gap compared with legacy systems.
“We made good profit on the old services, but that’s on old technology,” he said. “The new technology gives us a chance to operate our network better to make better margins and at the same time give our customers a better deal, because everybody’s costs are lower, when you implement the new architecture.”
A recent report from Technology Business Research noted AT&T was furthest along in terms of virtualization deployments, noting the telecom operator has been aggressive in its deployments, citing its AT&T Integrated Cloud, Network on Demand and its enhanced control, orchestration, management and policy project, which AT&T said is designed to automate network services and infrastructure running in a cloud environment.
“AT&T’s strategy with respect to these initiatives is to gain the benefits of NFV as quickly as possible,” noted TBR executive telecom analyst Michael Sullivan-Trainor. “AT&T hopes to work out the technical options in initial deployments, then scale those deployments across its footprint before finally federating the solution.”
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