Network Function Virtualization (NFV)

Network functions virtualization (NFV) has made remarkable progress on many fronts. This includes market acceptance, architecture definition and supporting specifications. As a result, the industry will very soon move into the commercialization phase, leveraging the many business and technical lessons …

ACG Research talks capex and opex challenges for NFV and SDN deployments As the telecom industry continues its push towards increased reliance on software solutions using virtualization technologies like network functions virtualization, software-defined networking and cloud platforms, questions surrounding the …

NFV-focused program now includes 23 members Overture Networks continues to boost its Harmony Partner Ecosystem program, announcing five new members focused on supporting service providers looking to deploy network functions virtualization platforms. The program’s newest members include EdgeTeam, Fortinet, Silver …

Hardware vs. software is one of the biggest questions wireless network architects face as they design networks that can handle not only today’s traffic but tomorrow’s as well. There is no shortage of purpose-built hardware for mobile networks, and there is …

August 19 was the inaugural episode of Cell Tower News with host Joey Jackson, editor and production manager for RCR Wireless News. On this episode, site acquisition, towersource.com, and related topics are discussed by Jackson and CEO and president of Mosaik Solutions …

Kontron discusses the impact virtualization can have on network capacity, including how NFV bolsters voice and video efficiency Network capacity issues continue to impact mobile operators as consumer demand for voice and video services surpasses the billions of dollars spent …

Network will be based on existing customers’ hot spots Following in the steps of other service providers bolstering public networks by piggybacking on private hot spots, Virgin Media this week announced it’s planning a free, public Wi-Fi deployment in the …

NFV integration project conducted at Huawei Open Labs facility Infrastructure giant Huawei said it recently completed the first phase of an integration project with Red Hat that ties in multiple vendors’ mobile broadband architectures using network functions virtualization technology. The companies said …

In case you missed the latest episodes of RCRtv, our weekly recap is bringing you insight on topics and guests featured on RCRtv’s weekly programing. Episode 11 of “IoT Innovation” aired on Aug. 13, featuring Jason Marcheck, service director for Current …

How vendors are using virtualization technologies to meet carrier network service levels One challenge for telecom operators as they move towards the rollout of virtualized platforms using network functions virtualization, software-defined networking and cloud technologies is their need for carrier-grade …

Alcatel-Lucent’s Rapport software central to China Mobile VoLTE plans Alcatel-Lucent said the world’s largest mobile operator, China Mobile, was set to deploy its network functions virtualization-based Rapport communications software in a move to consolidate the carrier’s video, voice and messaging …

Oracle OSS update looks to tackle challenge of operating NFV across virtual, physical networks Oracle Communications updated its operational support systems suite in a move to help communication service providers better handle the ongoing move toward virtualized platforms using network …

5G network slicing work to use network virtualization, hyperscale data center SK Telecom and Ericsson plan to tap virtualized network software to support “network slicing” technology in the core of the telecom operator’s “5G” network plans. The two firms said …

On this week’s NFV/SDN Reality Check we talked with Elias Aravantinos, principal analyst at ACG Research, on a new white paper looking at NFV ROI models One of the bigger challenges facing mobile operators as they look to deploy virtualized …

A new report from IHS predicts the NFV market is set to explode 5-fold beginning this year Analyst firms continue to report data backing growing demand for network functions virtualization across the telecom space. The latest comes from IHS, which …

On this week’s NFV/SDN Reality Check we talked with Ken Dilbeck, head of collaboration program at the TM Forum on moving NFV and SDN from hype to reality Few would argue that network functions virtualization, software-defined networking, cloud and the …

A new NFV study from ACG Research shows investment payback in 3 years One of the bigger hurdles facing mobile operators as they look at deploying virtualized network functions is lining up capital and operational expense models with expectations. A …

On this week’s NFV/SDN Reality Check we talked with Simon Osborne, CTO for service orchestration at Comptel, on looking beyond capital expense and operating expense when moving towards virtualization platforms such as network functions virtualization and software-defined networking. The move …

IHS report found only a small percentage of telecom operators are running IMS in NFV environments IP multimedia subsystems are seen by many as a stepping stone into the world of network functions virtualization, although a recent report from IHS …

The next generation of “5G” mobile connectivity promises virtually no latency based on dynamic use of technology like LTE-Advanced, Wi-Fi and small cells comprising ultra-dense networks. And with limited commercialization slated for as early as 2018, research and development is …

Although the telecom industry is still a few years away from establishing a standard for 5G mobile networks, research and development is happening in earnest. The latest action in that space comes from Samsung and South Korean operator LG Uplus; …

OPNFV Project now counts 60 member companies, adding Altera, Brain4 Net, CertusNet The Linux Foundation’s Open Platform Network Function Virtualization Project welcomed in a trio of new members this week, pushing the number of OPNFV Project supporters to 60 companies. …

Oracle launches four new NFV platforms targeting CSPs Oracle continues to bolster its virtualized platform that targets communication service providers, announcing four new products it claims are designed for network functions virtualization deployments. The products, which were announced today at the LTE …

NFV, SDN being used as part of disaggregation process AT&T’s push to virtualize 75% of its network by 2020 continues to gain steam, with the telecom giant this week describing the use of software-defined networking and network functions virtualization in …

IHS survey found more than one-third of carriers plan 2015 NFV deployments A new report from IHS found that 35% of telecom operators are planning to deploy network functions virtualization this year, yielding yet more evidence that despite its still …