Telstra first to launch VeloCloud virtually through SD-WAN in Asia- Pacific
Telstra, an Australian telecommunications company, recently announced an update to the Telstra Programmable Network, collaborating with VeloCloud to launch a virtual branch software-defined wide-area network (SD-WAN) in Australia and globally. Telstra described the new offering as a “major platform update” for the network.
The company originally debuted Telstra Programmable Network in May 2017, which provides customer access to network functions virtualization (NFV), software-defined network (SDN), cloud infrastructure, data centers, and local and international networks through a single platform. The recent upgrade introduces Universal CPE, which enables customers to launch a Telstra Programmable Network to their branch location. Virtualizing physical hardware at each location allows VeloCloud’s SD-WAN solution to operate as a virtual network function in the Telstra Programmable Network ecosystem, according to the company.
“We are the only company in Australia and across APAC that can offer virtual branch networking, VeloCloud SD-WAN, and zero touch management – all in the cloud, powered through Telstra Programmable Network,” said Michelle Bendschneider, ED of Telstra Global Products. “This is part of our ongoing commitment to bring world-class network innovation to international markets.”
According to Bendschneider, the SD-WAN solution provides a more “intelligence layer” to flexibility of the Programmable Network. She added Telstra is the only company in Asia Pacific to provide VeloCloud virtually through SD-WAN.
“Australia’s largest telecommunications company, we are strongly positioned to provide an SD-WAN solution on a global scale. We are the only company in Australia and across APAC that can offer virtual branch networking, VeloCloud SD-WAN, and zero touch management – all in the cloud, powered through Telstra Programmable Network. This is part of our ongoing commitment to bring world-class network innovation to international markets.”
Telstra originally announced it was partnering with VeloCloud back in March with an eye toward advancing NFV and SDN. The company said it would leverage VeloCloud’s solution to automate and simplify the functionality of its SDN branch. Telstra also backed VeloCloud with Cisco over the course of a $35 million Series D funding round led by Hermes Growth Partners earlier this year.
Moving forward, Bendschneider said she anticipates security and monitoring will be baked into the Telstra Programmable Network . “Looking ahead, we not only expect SD-WAN and automation to become an inherent part of the Telstra Programmable Network, but also next-generation security and monitoring. As outlined in our recent SOC launches, we continue to work towards building one of the most extensive, secure virtual network ecosystems in the world.”
