Orange Business Services has launched a pilot scheme for a new “plug and play” SDN solution for enterprises.
OBS said the fully automated and “100 percent digital” network management solution will allow small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to create and manage networks in real time via a web portal, as well as create customised virtual applications such as content filtering and security services.
Orange’s business arm will also deploy private, high-capacity corporate networks for the SMEs involved in the pilot and offer support services via the OBS project team.
Around 10 businesses will be piloting the SDN solution by April, OBS said, with a full commercial launch planned for next year. It revealed it had already deployed a dedicated SDN controller and a host of virtualised services within its business network to facilitate the programme.
Orange’s enterprise unit said SDN and NFV represented the “next chapter” in network technologies, offering a way to simplify network configuration and operation, and prioritise the flow of data.
OBS said: “The digital transformation of enterprises has created new expectations to implement new types of uses of voice, data and video. Companies must rely on a secure, scalable and flexible network – with straightforward management – to focus on their core business and develop new services.
“To meet such challenges, Orange Business Services launched today its first pilot of a 100% digital and automated SDN solution for small and medium enterprises.”
In February, Orange revealed it had held a voice call in fully-virtualised conditions after developing a virtualised IMS solution in partnership with Nokia Networks.
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