NEC and NTT DOCOMO successfully test Mobile Core Network virtualization
Tokyo & London, May 27, 2014– NEC Corporation and NTT DOCOMO, INC. have successfully conducted joint verification tests that use virtualized Evolved Packet Core (vEPC, *1) to improve telecom connectivity and enable fast delivery of new telecom services.
With these tests, the companies verified that virtualization platforms provide the functions required for Network Functions Virtualization (NFV, *2).
These tests verified basic Evolved Packet Core (EPC) performance by applying virtualization technology to EPC software that takes on LTE data communication functions. The tests also confirmed EPC’s ability to adaptively boost processing capabilities through controls from the system that manages EPC in response to how much data customers use. They also checked the platform’s performance during a breakdown in hardware functions, when a backup structure was quickly and automatically constructed using different hardware in order to sustain stable data communications.
“NFV is highly expected to bring changes in the ecosystem of network industries,” said Seizo Onoe, Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer at DOCOMO. “Nonetheless, unless there’s a high degree of collaboration between players, this would end up being a pie in the sky. Therefore I am delighted that we can successfully collaborate on PoC with NEC.”
“NEC is honored to collaborate with DOCOMO in the trial of this virtual mobile core technology,” said Shunichiro Tejima, Executive Vice President, NEC Corporation. “NEC began commercial shipments of vEPC solutions in 2013 and we look forward to continuing our active involvement in joint research and tests with players spanning the entire NFV industry as part of offering global solutions for flexible, fast networks that are optimized for services.”
NEC’s Software-Defined Network (SDN) initiatives are a core aspect of its Social Solutions business, where the company offers NFV through its NEC SDN Solutions and its Network Functions Virtualization Solutions menu for the telecom carrier market. NEC is an industry leader in the provision of vEPC, including its delivery of Myanmar’s backbone telecommunication network. Moreover, the company has conducted joint verification tests with Telefonica on virtual Customer Premises Equipment (vCPE) for household use in order to strengthen its activities behind SDN and NFV.
Based on its Mid-term Management Plan 2015, the NEC Group is working towards the safety, security, efficiency and equality of society. NEC aims to develop solutions for a wide range of issues as a company that creates value through the promotion of its “Solutions for Society” which provide advanced social infrastructure utilizing ICT.
Notes:
*1) vEPC is a virtualized mobile core network solution that achieves Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), the concept of achieving network functions on a virtualization infrastructure running on commercial off-the-shelf server hardware with Intel Architecture (IA).
*2) NFV is the provision of network functions through a virtualization platform on a general purpose IA server.
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company’s experience and global resources, NEC’s advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.
