NEC to Cooperate with KT on SDN - Accelerating the South Korean communication market transition to SDN -

*** For immediate use November 19, 2014

 

Tokyo, November 19, 2014 - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) has reached an agreement with KT Corporation (KT), a leading South Korea-based communications carrier, to collaboration in the field of software-defined networking (SDN). The two companies will work together to (1) cultivate SDN-related markets for enterprises and (2) cooperate on SDN and network functions virtualization (NFV) for communication services operators.

 

KT recently put forth its vision of a “GiGAtopia,” according to which Internet connections will be made 10 times faster in order to connect people and all things to the Internet, enabling the creation of integrated services and advancing the sophistication of information and communication technologies. For its part, NEC develops technologies, products and services that advance its partnerships and strengthen its SDN/NFV business in order to create new value for customers and to provide advanced social infrastructure. Collaboration between the two companies in the area of SDN is aimed at spreading and expanding SDN/NFV, which offers a communication environment with enhanced comfort and flexibility.

 

Primary points of the collaboration are described below.

(1) Cultivation of SDN-related markets for enterprises

NEC and KT will jointly carry out marketing and customer acquisition efforts with respect to SDN for enterprises that include private businesses, government offices and data centers in a bid to positively encourage end users to make use of SDN, which is seen to have great future growth potential.

 

(2) Technological cooperation on SDN/NFV for carriers

(a) Virtualized Core Network Solution

(Virtualized Evolved Packet Core: vEPC)

NEC and KT will conduct a joint vEPC trial, a core technology for next-generation networks. NEC was the first in the world to commercialize a NFV solution virtualizing EPC, formerly a device dedicated to mobile phone networks, with a general purpose server and software. This trial will make use of vEPC to verify operations of the virtualization functions on the server and to demonstrate centralized control of virtualized resources and functions.

 

(b) Virtualized Customer Premises Equipment Solution

(Virtualized Customer Premises Equipment: vCPE)

As use of broadband networks increases, the functions of customer premises equipment are also increasing and so are the burdens on communication service providers in repairing and maintaining the equipment installed on users’ premises. In this context, virtualization has gathered growing attention as a solution to simplify the functions of customer premises equipment and to help reduce the man-hours and costs of maintenance services. NEC and KT will embark on a joint demonstrative vCPE trial to verify the operation of KT’s broadband access network service and enhancements in maintenance efficiency.

 

(C) Operation and Management Integrated Solutions

(Management and Network Orchestration: MANO)

NFV, which virtualizes network functions, is a key technology in the evolution of next-generation networks. For the efficient operation of an NFV-based network, which KT is investigating, NEC and KT will jointly conduct the technical verification of MANO.

 

South Korea is one of the most advanced countries in the world in terms of communications. Both wired and wireless networks support high-speed communications and the number of services for businesses based on the cloud and big data are increasing. Under these circumstances, it is a challenge to efficiently operate conventional networks and IT assets and there is a mounting need for innovative systems with SDN/NFV.

 

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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.

 

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