Nokia Solutions and Networks and SK Telecom demonstrated a joint proof-of-concept for Evolved Packet Core (EPC) virtualization based on Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) principles.
The companies said their project showed successful results for capacity scaling for both throughput and signaling traffic in connection with smartphone usage patterns.
NSN has previously demonstrated a complete EPC solution in a cloud environment, including both virtualized Mobility Management Entity (MME) and virtualized S/P-Gateway elements. NSN said its virtualized EPC helps operators improve their competitiveness by rapidly introducing optimal services customized to its environment while running on off-the shelf commercial IT hardware.
“It has been satisfying to work with our long-standing partner, NSN, in yet another successful proof-of-concept project,” said Choi Jin-sung, Executive Vice President and Head of ICT R&D Division at SK Telecom. “We have now verified the feasibility of telco cloud technology and can now make plans for our future commercial cloud solutions for enhanced flexibility and operational efficiency.”
“I’m proud of our work with SK Telecom in this exciting demonstration of our telco cloud capabilities for virtualized EPC,” said Reino Tammela, vice president, Packet Core at NSN. “This successful project shows the full benefit of our Liquid Core portfolio. We have now completed proof-of-concept projects for voice as well as packet core network functions virtualization. We proved that handling both control and user plane traffic in the cloud is feasible and a viable option to meet the performance requirements of data traffic growth.”
- In October 2013, NSN reinforced its multi-stack approach to telco cloud to give operators full flexibility in their choice of cloud platforms. The company confirmed that it is working closely on cloud technology with major operators, leading cloud stack vendors such as VMware, open source cloud platforms such as OpenStack and the ETSI Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) Industry Specification Group (ISG). NSN also launched its cloud-ready NetAct 8 , which helps simplify network operations, reduce operational expenses and deliver very high availability. NetAct 8 includes the NSN Cloud Application Manager, which provides off-the-shelf management, orchestration and elasticity for virtual network functions.
