Operator has customers’ traffic running on NaaS platform which it claims is one of the largest in the world
BT says customers’ traffic is now live on Global Fabric, its Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform for multinational customers announced in October 2023.
The first service available via the platform is Global Fabric Internet. Via a web portal, customers can view connectivity to their apps, network health, events and alerts, and make changes to their connectivity at will. For example, scaling bandwidth up and down, and provisioning new connections as required.
Global Fabric Internet is available on the same physical port as other connectivity services BT will launch over the coming year thanks to the platform’s pioneering hardware and digital orchestration layer.
BT states it is adding more customers, scale and features to the platform, such as intent-based routing, building up to the launch of IP VPN and Ethernet connectivity services. They will be offered alongside solutions such as cyber-security to defend against DDoS and SD-WAN.
Still expanding infra
Earlier this month, BT Business announced a deal with Equinix to extend its footprint and capabilities, and says the partnership makes it one of the world’s largest NaaS platforms. When fully built-out, the Global Fabric will be available to customers around the globe via 140 points of presence (PoPs) hosted in “the world’s top cloud locations” across 40 countries. BT adds the new infrastructure will offer 74% direct coverage of hyperscalers’ clouds and pre-provisioned connectivity to more than 700 data centres.
Bas Burger, CEO, Business, BT, said, “Today marks the start of a new era of international business connectivity. Customers are now joining us on a journey to combine the full power of cloud and networks to drive adoption of digital services, such as AI. For BT, it marks a milestone in the delivery of our strategy for customers — to provide rock solid foundations for their digital business plans.”
An uncertain future?
Just how secure the Global Fabric’s future is with BT remains to be seen, given that BT Group’s CEO, Allison Kirkby’s strategy is to focus on its domestic market, the UK. Whether the Global Fabric remains in BT’s hands, or BT attracts a partner/investor to share the cost and risk, or sells it off, the NaaS platform faces some stiff competition – and telcos have at best a chequered history as offering ICT solutions globally to multinationals.
On the other hand, it might be that Global Fabric’s prescient and pioneering approach to resilience – described here by BT Business’ CTO (and much of the brains behind the Global Fabric) Colin Bannon – will be very popular with European multinationals caught up in the maelstrom of geopolitics.
James Eibisch, Research Director, IDC European Enterprise Communications Services, is upbeat. In a quotation on the press release he stated, “The disruption and evolution of enterprise IT doesn’t stop with digital transformation. The profound growth of AI and the unpredictability of today’s geopolitics create uncertainty about how companies should plan and adapt for the future.
“To cope with this uncertainty, they need flexibility above all, and a platform approach to delivering connectivity and services provides that. BT Global Fabric helps businesses access technology and services in a secure and sovereign manner, wherever it is located and whenever it is needed.”
COLIN BANNON is taking part in the opening panel of Mobile Europe’s Telco to techco virtual event on 1-2 April. Register now for free.