UAE-based group Operator, Etisalat has launched its first Virtualized Network Function(VNF) using a virtualised Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) solution from Affirmed Networks to be able to cater for rapidly growing broadband and voice services for both mobile and fixed user. The new Network Function Virtualization(NFV) architecture will also support the Operator's rollout of Internet-of-Things(IoT) services such as connected car and machine-to-machine(M2M) services.
The vEPC project is part of Etisalat's corporate-wide program launched in 2016 to ‘cloudify the network,’ dubbed Sahaab - an Arabic word that translates to ‘cloud’. The program is focused on deploying the right mix of the hardware-centric telecom services and software-centric cloud services.
Last week, the Operator launched its NFV telco cloud that has been built using Quanta servers, Arista switches and Canonical’s Ubuntu OpenStack. Leveraging its NFV telco cloud, the Operator plans to launch more apps in future to provide more agile and innovative services to customers, like vCPE for home and business customers and vIMS for multimedia communications.
Esmaeel Alhammadi, senior vice president of Network Development in Etisalat and Sahaab program lead
This national deployment of vEPC now provides Etisalat with an innovative and flexible way to deliver services and connectivity to customers across the UAE, regardless of their location.
Mohammed Shanableh, vice president of Global Operations of Affirmed Networks
By embracing a virtualized LTE solution, Etisalat is putting in place a network that is capable of handling the ever-changing expectations of consumers-both today and in the future where increased connectivity to devices, applications and services will place new demands on operator networks.