NFV deal said to enhance South Korean operators network agility, LTE-U plans
South Korea telecom operator LG U+ is pushing forward with plans to deploy network function virtualization technology on its network, announcing a deal with Affirmed Networks to deploy an NFV-based virtual evolved packet core solution.
The carrier, which competes against market heavyweight SK Telecom, said the move would allow it to deploy new networks and services across its wired and wireless operations, meet growing data demand tied to customers adopting services linked to the “Internet of Things” and help boost network operations as it moves toward so-called “5G” technologies.
Affirmed said the move toward VEPC can reduce complexity in the network and support the deployment of new services, including Wi-Fi integration. Specifically to LG U+, the deal is designed to accelerate the deployment of new network technologies like LTE-Unlicensed, which looks to tap into unlicensed spectrum bands in order to increase capacity on LTE networks. Affirmed noted it completed a proof-of-concept trial with LG U+ using LTE-U.
“We will do our best to enhance customers’ convenience by accelerating the preparation of infrastructure, which efficiently and stably affords increasing traffic in 5G environment and devices in IoT environment where the traffic is three times as much as now,” said Changgil Cho, CTO at LG U+, in a statement.
Affirmed earlier this month announced the appointment of former Sprint network executive Steve Elfman to its board of directors. The company said Elfman “will help the company enhance its leadership position providing NFV solutions to leading mobile operators globally.”
Elfman left Sprint last year following a number of executives out the door at the beleaguered carrier. The shuffle eventually saw long-time CEO Dan Hesse replaced by board member Marcelo Claure.
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