Alcatel-Lucent, Telefónica explore implementation of NFV to accelerate the transformation of networks

In its bid to drive transformation of network, Alcatel-Lucent and Telefónica have signed a memorandum of understanding under which the companies will test NFV (network functions virtualization) technologies as part of the operator’s strategy to evolve its networking infrastructure. The work will focus on enhancing network performance and efficiencies to support ever-growing demand for flexible connectivity.

Telefónica has already tested Alcatel-Lucent’s Virtualized Service Router in its NFV Reference Lab using the OpenMANO NFV orchestration stack. The results delivered were outstanding, reaching 100% line-rate performance which allowed data to be transported with zero losses. The companies will continue testing other elements of Alcatel-Lucent’s NFV portfolio in the coming months.

The new MoU renews and expands the companies’ February 2014 agreement which announced the application of Alcatel-Lucent’s CloudBand™ platform to advance NFV implementation. Under the new agreement, Alcatel-Lucent and Telefónica will investigate how mobile networks can be transformed to meet demands being placed on them by the Internet of Things, machine-to-machine communications and increased customer connectivity.

NFV offers new efficiencies and automation to simplify network operations, allowing service providers to increase innovation and offer new revenue-generating services with a consistent high quality end-user experience, while lowering costs.

Enrique Blanco Global CTO, Telefónica, said: “We are pleased to continue our work with Alcatel-Lucent on the use of NFV technologies to transform future networks. We have already seen an outstanding performance in the testing of Alcatel-Lucent’s VSR, showing that it delivers comparable performance to hardware-based routers. Use of these technologies will open up new opportunities as we continue innovating to exceed our customer’s expectations.”

Michel Combes, CEO of Alcatel-Lucent, said: “As innovation leaders, Alcatel-Lucent and Telefónica are aligned on our goal to transform the future of mobile networks. We have a comprehensive portfolio of NFV technologies that can be used to optimize networks and meet the ever-growing connectivity demands of the future.”