NEC, NetCracker and Cricket Communications to Collaborate in Customized Trial of SDN and Network Virtualization Agreement to Trial vEPC for Flexibility, Cost savings and Accelerated Service Deployment

*** For immediate use Feb 21, 2014



TOKYO – February 21, 2014 – NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) and NetCracker Technology announced today an agreement with Cricket Communications, Inc. (Cricket), a pioneer of prepaid wireless services, to trial network virtualization based on SDN (Software-Defined Networking) and NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) technologies.

Cricket, NetCracker and NEC will collaborate in the trial to virtualize the Evolved Packet Core network. Network virtualization, with SDN and NFV technologies that combine the IP edge components of networks into one single virtual infrastructure, could be a key element of Cricket's network strategy. This collaboration will demonstrate that virtual network functions are portable between different hardware platforms.

Cricket will test and evaluate a single pointed infrastructure model to manage all the aspects of a virtualized network. It will enable Cricket to determine how this strategy can further develop its smart seamless network capabilities.

By enabling advanced network automation, rapid delivery of network services and easy application of policies across the network, SDN plays an important role to seamlessly interconnect all the virtual network functions.

The trial will also validate a range of benefits virtualization will bring - from minimizing the dependence on hardware, to flexible and dynamic network management that is simple, flexible and enables accelerated service deployment and time to market - while enhancing the customer's connectivity experience.

"Cricket consistently delivers value to its customers by actively seeking out cutting edge technology in both network and IT domains, and working with our strategic partners, to rapidly prototype it and effectively operationalize it," said Rob Strickland, CTO at Cricket. "This joint trial is a result of a successful business relationship between NetCracker and Cricket. It reflects our commitment to bring the latest to benefit our customers while positively impacting business operations."

"We are very excited to partner with Cricket to deliver innovation that bridges the Network and IT domains," said Andrew Feinberg, President and CEO of NetCracker Technology. "Our proven and market leading capabilities in SDN and NFV are a direct result of our investment, totaling hundreds of millions dollars, to help our customers achieve their vision of transforming their infrastructure to be more efficient, scalable and profitable."

"NEC and NetCracker have proven capabilities in delivering innovative SDN and NFV solutions worldwide as part of their vision to fundamentally transform networks into more efficient, scalable and profitable platforms," said Mr. Shunichiro Tejima, Executive Vice-President, NEC Corporation. "This trial will showcase the best of what NEC and NetCracker have to offer in virtualization and we look forward to working with Cricket to validate and deliver on their vision."

The trial will commence shortly with close cooperation between select teams of virtualization, networking and IT experts from Cricket, NEC and NetCracker.

NEC and NetCracker will be demonstrating their SDN and NFV capabilities, including vEPC using real-life case studies at Mobile World Congress 2014, Barcelona, February 24 – 27.

About Cricket
Cricket is the pioneer of prepaid wireless services with no long-term contracts, and today offers unlimited talk, text and mobile data plans at half the price of AT&T and Verizon. Cricket offers its high-quality voice and mobile data services nationwide over all-digital 4G LTE and 3G wireless networks. Cricket's innovative products and services, including the award-winning Muve MusicR - the first music service designed for a wireless phone - are available nationwide at Cricket branded retail stores, dealers, national retailers and at www.mycricket.com. For more information, please visit www.mycricket.com.

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.

NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. (C)2014 NEC Corporation.


About NetCracker Technology
NetCracker Technology, a subsidiary of NEC Corporation, is the proven partner for communications service providers and cable operators offering comprehensive, end-to-end solutions and delivery capabilities to optimize their enterprise. With its global reach, leading-edge technology, and unbroken track record of successful implementations, NetCracker helps eliminate operational and business silos and delivers real-time experience in an on-demand world. For more information, please visit www.NetCracker.com.

NetCracker is a registered trademark of NetCracker Technology Corp. All other company or product names mentioned in this press release may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.