SK Telecom, NSN Successfully Complete Evolved Packet Core Virtualization Proof-of-Concept
Seoul, Korea (PRWEB UK) 25 November 2013 -- Nokia Solutions and Networks has demonstrated its telco cloud capabilities in a joint proof-of-concept for Evolved Packet Core (EPC) virtualization with SK Telecom, the leading operator in Korea. This Networks Functions Virtualization (NFV) project showed successful results for capacity scaling for both throughput and signaling traffic in connection with smartphone usage patterns.
As the global demand for mobile broadband with top-of-class quality of service continues to grow, future-proof core network architecture with efficient cloud computing capabilities becomes essential. SK Telecom evaluated several vendors for its proof-of-concept project, and selected NSN’s core virtualization concept based on the company’s Liquid Core* architecture. NSN was the only vendor to successfully demonstrate a complete EPC solution in a cloud environment, including both virtualized Mobility Management Entity (MME) and virtualized S/P-Gateway elements.
“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.”
”NSN’s early lead with Liquid Core virtualization puts its proofs-of-concept into the fast lane, and racing with x86 hardware and a multi-stack cloud positions them to deliver everything operators want from NFV,” said Joe Hoffman, ABI Research.
NSN’s virtualized EPC helps operators improve their competitiveness by rapidly introducing optimal services customized to its environment. As the solution can be deployed to off-the shelf commercial IT hardware, it helps operators reduce their OPEX costs, deploy effective solutions, and easily run and manage the application.
“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.”
“I believe that NSN’s leadership position in the telco cloud with proven technology and a clear roadmap contributed to the operator’s decision to select NSN for this project,” continued Tammela. “We were able to demonstrate concrete benefits ranging from reduced deployment costs to elasticity on demand, and from faster time-to-market to software investment protection, all of which greatly contribute to SK Telecom’s readiness for its future launch of the EPC on cloud solution.”
In October 2013, NSN reinforced its multi-stack approach to telco cloud to give operators full flexibility in their choice of cloud platforms, and reinventing the telcos for cloud to get the required lean agility is one of the key pillars of NSN’s Technology Vision 2020. NSN is a key member of the ETSI Network Functions Virtualization Industry Specification (NFV) Group** and works closely with major operators, leading cloud stack vendors and open source cloud platforms to make its vision a reality.
To share your thoughts on the growing role of telco cloud capabilities, join the discussion with @NSNtweets on Twitter using #telcocloud and #TechVision2020.
About SK Telecom
SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM, KSE: 017670), established in 1984, is Korea’s largest telecommunications company with more than 27 million mobile subscribers, accounting for over 50% of the market. The company reached KRW 16.301 trillion in revenue in 2012. As the world’s first company to commercialize CDMA, CDMA 2000 1x, CDMA EV-DO and HSDPA networks, SK Telecom launched the nation’s first LTE service in July 2011. Backed by rapid nationwide deployment, a rich device lineup and diverse mobile value added services, the company secured over 11 million LTE subscribers as of June 2013. SK Telecom also became the world’s first mobile carrier to launch LTE-Advanced on June 26, 2013 by applying core LTE-Advanced technologies including Carrier Aggregation. Also, based on its strength in network operations business, SK Telecom is seeking new growth engines by building ICT convergence business models in areas of healthcare, enterprise solutions, media and education. For more information, please visit http://www.sktelecom.com or email to press(at)sktelecom(dot)com
About NSN
Nokia Solutions and Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly.
With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 120 countries and had net sales of approximately 13.4 billion euros in 2012. NSN is wholly owned by Nokia Corporation.
http://www.nsn.com
Media Enquiries
NSN
Media Relations
Phone: +358 7140 02869
E-mail: mediarelations(at)nsn(dot)com
SK Telecom Co. Ltd.
Irene Kim
Phone: +82 2 6100 3834
Email: gahaekim(at)sk(dot)com
Notes
- Since the launch of Liquid Net in 2011, which also comprised its Liquid Radio and Liquid Core portfolio, NSN has proved the feasibility of virtualized telco network elements in various domains. The approach has been confirmed in projects with major operators, and in 2013, NSN completed the world’s most comprehensive verification of LTE core voice services using a telco cloud environment. Since 2011, all proof-of-concept projects and lab trials have been based on commercial platforms and have evolved from pure network function virtualization to a comprehensive telco cloud environment. Additionally, in October 2013, NSN reinforced its multi-stack approach to telco cloud to give operators full flexibility in their choice of cloud platforms, and launched its cloud-ready NetAct 8 operations support system, which helps simplify network operations, reduce operational expenses and deliver very high availability. NetAct 8 includes NSN Cloud Application Manager, which provides off-the-shelf management, orchestration and elasticity for virtual network functions.
** NSN is an active member of the ETSI Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) Industry Specification Group and participates in all areas of its work. NSN shares operator objectives for Network Function Virtualization software functions and the elimination of proprietary hardware components. This work covers data and control plane functions, multi-tenancy and automation as well as capabilities to enhance network flexibility and scalability with carrier-grade security and resiliency.
Media Relations, NSN, http://nsn.com, +358 714002869, [email protected]
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