IBM announced its support for the virtualization of network infrastructure that will extend the benefits of a cloud delivery model to communications networks.
Separating network functions from purpose-built hardware can speed the deployment of new services while reducing the economic burden on clients, a key goal of IBM’s Smarter Communications initiative.
To achieve this goal, IBM is working with business partners as they create new solutions tailored for telecom. For example, Australian mobile carrier Optus recently tested a new mobile network capacity solution from Connectem Inc. running on IBM PureFlex
The IBM PureSystems family offers carriers an alternative to current enterprise computing models, where multiple and disparate systems require significant resources to set up and maintain.
The Virtual Core for Mobile (VCM) is a software solution from Connectem, an IBM Business Partner, which has the potential to deliver higher network performance during peak usage periods, where millions of customers could be accessing a mobile network via smartphones or tablets. A virtualized solution can rapidly switch computing resources to deliver incremental capacity on-demand. As a result, customers experience lower network latency even during periods of peak network activity.