TM Forum has created a set of guidelines to help service providers jointly manage virtualised and traditional networks.

Ericsson is seeking to dramatically speed up the availability of new software on network nodes from months to days with the launch of a new solution.

BT has launched a new SD-WAN offering for large enterprises based on technology from Nokia’s Nuage Networks business.

Huawei has launched a new testing solution for operators interested in software defined networking and network functions virtualisation.

Vodafone has partnered with IBM to help enterprises shift their processes from premises equipment to the cloud.

Vodafone Group has become the latest operator to join the Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP) project, which aims to build a neutral automation platform for networks, infrastructure and services.

Liberty Global has deployed Juniper’s virtual route reflector across its network in a bid to cut costs and increase scalability.

Telefónica Deutschland is boosting its processing capabilities with a data centre solution from BT as it prepares to roll out 5G and IoT-ready services.

BT and Dell EMC are trialling new ways of managing network traffic using SDN and NFV.

Virtualisation is seen by some as a truly transformative means for operators to best prepare for the future, but a new report has laid out how even the industry’s most enthusiastic proponents are facing difficulties.

Vodafone is working with Lime Microsystems to develop new software-defined cellular radio platforms.

TIM has launched a project aiming to transform its optical packet metro network in Italy, which it said is the next step of its three year network improvement plans.

Bouygues Telecom is turning to virtualisation as it looks to improve its backhaul and aggregation infrastructure.

Demand for SD-WAN is booming across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, a new report from IDC has claimed, predicting the technology will become one of the "key building blocks" in network infrastructure.

Operator Orange is not known for being averse to risks, with its glitzy annual Hello technology show more like something Google or Facebook would hold, but on virtualisation it has continued to take a cautious approach compared to the more ambitious and bullish projects of Vodafone and AT&T.

AT&T, Orange and TIM are co-sponsoring a new vendor project aimed at developing speedier innovation within virtual networks.

Bouygues Telecom has become an early adopter of a new virtualised OSS solution that claims to increase network agility and lower costs.

Nokia and Netcracker have leaned heavily on machine learning technology in new offerings launched to coincide with the TM Forum’s annual event, which is getting underway in France.

Being a small telco comes with certain agility advantages, but it does mean the stakes can be higher than for larger rivals as there is less opportunity to scale.

Worldwide NFV revenues are set to reach $38 billion by 2022, with established vendors in line to be the biggest beneficiaries.