NTT DoCoMo has completed the development of what it says is the world's first network function virtualization (NFV) technology that can run Evolved Packet Core (EPC) software from multiple vendors to enhance connectivity in high-volume areas.
DoCoMo plans to deploy the technology on its network starting this March. It also plans to deploy SDN to make IP network flexible in accordance with the introduction of NFV.
“Multivendor NFV technology, once regarded as pie in the sky, will now be deployed commercially on our mobile network," DoCoMo EVP and CTO Seizo Onoe said.
“Many NFV technologies already deployed still rely on single vendor, so we expect this truly multi-vendor NFV technology will be a long-awaited game-changer in the mobile industry's ecosystem,” the executive said.
NFV technology enables communication software originally designed for dedicated hardware to run on virtualized hardware. It will help to ensure stable network operation by improving connectivity when data volume is high, as well as following natural disasters or in the event of hardware failures.
It is expected to accelerate delivery of new services and enhance the efficiency of infrastructure investment by enabling software from multiple vendors and hardware to be combined openly in a mobile network.