Day: August 13, 2015

Hardware Disaggregation: Truly SDN-Optimized Network Elements?

by , posted in Net Transformation, SDN/NFV
Rick Talbot
Rick Talbot

Summary Bullets:

  • SDN orchestration opens the door to network element disaggregation – performing wavelength, TDM and packet switching and optical transport in separate network elements.
  • Operators will need to choose between the best-of-breed benefits of network element disaggregation versus the shared powering, cooling and management of P-OTPs.

Much of the discussion around NFV has addressed separating virtual functions from physical devices. However, the capabilities introduced by SDN set the stage to present an even more radical possibility for the network. Continue reading “Hardware Disaggregation: Truly SDN-Optimized Network Elements?” →

What Do the Latest Announcements Tell Us About Virtualized VoLTE?

by , posted in Net Transformation, OSS/BSS/CEM, SDN/NFV, Vendor Transformation
David Snow
David Snow

Summary Bullets:

  • Vodafone Italy’s virtualized VoLTE launch and China Mobile’s planned launch provide a good opportunity to assess the current state of vendors’ virtualized IMS technology
  • While there are many unanswered questions, particularly around NFV MANO, the overwhelming conclusion is that operator confidence just stepped up a gear

After the disappointment of Telkom Austria’s live virtualized VoLTE (vVoLTE) project being suspended last month (see “Even the “Downs” of NFV Projects Point “Up” in this blog), we’ve seen a couple of really significant commercial vVoLTE contracts publicized over the past few weeks – this time from the larger players. First, Huawei and Nokia Networks trumpeted their vVoLTE launch with Vodafone Italy and secondly Alcatel-Lucent, Huawei and ZTE announced their participation in China Mobile’s VoLTE launch with Alcatel-Lucent contributing its vVoLTE solution, Rapport. Continue reading “What Do the Latest Announcements Tell Us About Virtualized VoLTE?” →