Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco and NEC have completed proof of concept trials for virtualised Evolved Packet Core for NTT DOCOMO.
The trials were launched in November last year and aimed to find out if the technology could cope with “cutting-edge” network functions, such as increasing or decreasing the user-data processing capability that handles traffic or being able to deliver network recovery in the event of a failure in hardware.
The Japanese operator said it will now launch commercial services using a virtual mobile network by the end of its 2016 financial year.
It added that it will be able to deliver the likes of improved connectivity amid dense traffic, a continually running network even if its hardware fails, saved costs and increased time to market of new products.
Seizo Onoe, Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer at DOCOMO, commented: “NFV is highly expected to change the ecosystem of network industries. But without a high degree of collaboration among the players, such hopes could end up like pie in the sky. Therefore, I am delighted that we have been successfully collaborating in PoC trials with the industry’s leading vendors.”
The operator added that it would continue to work with these three vendors, among others, to further the implementation of network virtualisation.
Sri Reddy, VP and GM of A-L’s SR Product Business Unit, commented: “This project demonstrates an accelerated path to NFV commercial deployment that is leading the industry.”
Earlier today, the France-based vendor revealed it had launched its first commercial deployment of an NFV product, with Saudi operator Mobily.