China Mobile Adopting NFV Solutions to Improve Telecommunications Structure

Previously Published to TMC Net’s NFVZone

China Mobile is migrating systems into smarter and more agile networks. To do this, they are adopting the ZTE Corporation’s Network Function Virtualization (NFV), as their means in optimizing networks to allow for faster speeds and better connectivity to user devices.

Through this adoption, China Mobile will find that systems are easier to manage. A provider in a country with the highest world population, this seems to be a great move towards innovation and improved performance, where networks could easily become congested. 

This shift will be essential in ensuring high performance abilities during the workday rush.In addition to the network solutions being made available to China Mobile, ZTE is implementing smaller, more manageable stations to ensure connectivity and decongestion throughout the virtualized network. With such high populations, these small substations would be considered checkpoints to verify functionality.

“ZTE is committed to work with China Mobile to accelerate the deployment of integrated small base stations and build the highest-performance TD-LTE networks,” said Bai Yanmin, Vice President of ZTE. “ZTE’s products can enable operators to shorten response times to network malfunction, and make it faster to deploy new services for users.”

An NFV-based Gateway solution contributes to customer satisfaction by minimizing the need to deploy traditional wireless access devices. Software-based dashboards will allow customers to self-manage efforts in troubleshooting basic errors and resolving issues. This will also minimize waiting for a tech specialist to be dispatched to their home or office days later.  Operators will find decreased costs in operation through a decrease in hardware needs and much fewer instances of at-home repairs, saving the company thousands annually.

Utilizing already established x86-based servers, storage and switches; ZTE is helping carriers to integrate NFV solutions into their current systems. Of course, migrations are still necessary, but ZTE is making it easier to stay connected during the shift.

While tech groups are moving NFV solutions towards commercialization and open-source projects, the rapid adoption is what is most exciting. Heather Kirskey, blogger for Linux, recently pointed out that the NFV market will reach more than $11B by 2019 – already reflecting a rapid increase amongst tech communities and telecommunications. She recently outlined 5 Virtual Networking Predictions for 2016.

With ability comes innovation. With innovation comes adoption. Finally, with innovation, we find perfection. Improved performance and minimal disruption to service is sure to keep customers happy for China Mobile in 2016.