Telefónica has selected HP as the technology provider and systems integrator for its UNICA infrastructure virtualization project. Telefónica will implement the end-to-end HP OpenNFV platform stack, including server, software, orchestration and networking technologies and its carrier grade HP Helion OpenStack® technology, services and expertise. HP notes that its OpenNFV Platform is built around adherence to openness and standards.
Telefónica plans to follow a three-phase approach to implementing UNICA, starting with virtualizing non-critical systems, such as AAA and IP Media Subsystem (IMS), deploying them as virtual network functions (VNFs) and transforming to NFV core networks like virtual Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) for LTE. The company also plans to virtualize critical systems like Home Subscriber Server (HSS) and Home Location Register (HLR). At the same time, Telefonica will use UNICA to deploy new cloud based services and to migrate current virtualized services, in an unprecedented transformation of internal management.
For Telefonica, UNICA is just the first step for a wide and ambitious vision which results in the best experience for our customers. We are starting here with HP, not just a new way to deploy networks, even more, a new way to deploy services all based in cloud.
Saar Gillai, senior vice president, general manager, Network Functions Virtualization, HP
Telefónica was one of the first to realize NFV’s potential to transform its network to meet growing customer demands and increasing competitive pressures. Telefónica’s UNICA initiative and HP’s OpenNFV Platform – both launched just one year ago – represent real progress in making the transformation to NFV and together will serve as an important point of reference for the telecommunications industry.
