NTT DOCOMO and NEC have successfully conducted joint verification tests on virtualized Evolved Packet Core, demonstrating functions required for Network Functions Virtualization in a LTE enviroment. The testing is intended to ease network connectivity and enable fast delivery of new telecom services.
These tests verified basic Evolved Packet Core (EPC) performance and confirmed EPC's ability to adaptively boost processing capabilities through controls from the system that manages EPC in response to how much data customers use. The testing includes the virtualization platform's performance during a breakdown in hardware functions, when a backup structure was quickly and automatically constructed using different hardware in order to sustain stable data communications.
NEC's Software-Defined Network (SDN) initiatives are a core aspect of its Social Solutions business, where the company offers NFV through its NEC SDN Solutions and its Network Functions Virtualization Solutions menu for the telecom carrier market.
“NFV is highly expected to bring changes in the ecosystem of network industries. Nonetheless, unless there's a high degree of collaboration between players, this would end up being a pie in the sky. Therefore I am delighted that we can successfully collaborate on PoC with NEC."
- Seizo Onoe, Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer at DOCOMO
"NEC is honored to collaborate with DOCOMO in the trial of this virtual mobile core technology. NEC began commercial shipments of vEPC solutions in 2013 and we look forward to continuing our active involvement in joint research and tests with players spanning the entire NFV industry as part of offering global solutions for flexible, fast networks that are optimized for services."
- Shunichiro Tejima, Executive Vice President, NEC Corporation
