Vodafone Group enters into licensing agreement with VMware

Vodafone Group has agreed to a software licensing arrangement with VMware that will enable it to access a range of the technology vendor’s products. As part of that agreement, VMware will be one of the vendors to support the operator’s global rollout of Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) to accelerate its delivery of future products and services in a rapid, cost-efficient manner.

Vodafone will deploy VMware vCloud NFV as part of its group-wide transformation program utilizing NFV and software-defined networking technologies across applications and networks. Vodafone will also receive Carrier-Grade Support, a new VMware offering to support the implementation of new software.

“Virtualized, cloud-native network functions are a critical element of our Group-wide program as we continue to transform how we build, operate and evolve our networks and services,” said Fran Heeran, Vodafone Group’s Head of Network Virtualisation. “Reducing the time and cost to deploy and operate services, utilizing automation and convergence in standardized cloud environments for our network and IT businesses is a critical part of our technology and operational transformation strategy.”

VMware vCloud NFV will provide Vodafone with an ETSI-compliant, modular, multi-tenant NFV platform that supports choice in virtual infrastructure managers (VMware and OpenStack). The vCloud NFV platform combines a highly available, carrier-grade NFV infrastructure with Day 2 operations management and service assurance capabilities. Customers such as Vodafone are able to roll out multiple applications on a common NFV infrastructure, rather than building new platforms for each innovative service.

The VMware-based virtualized infrastructure including VMware vSphere and VMware NSX will also provide a common architecture spanning network and IT operations, further improving operational efficiencies and overall economics. Vodafone will have the flexibility to choose from a number of certified VMware Ready for NFV virtual network functions, providing confidence in pre-tested and pre-certified solutions that can reduce deployment risk.

“Vodafone’s selection of VMware to support network transformation highlights how we are a proven, strategic software innovator that can help communications service providers successfully deliver new services faster while driving down costs,” said Shekar Ayyar, Executive Vice-President and General Manager, Telco Group, VMware. “Our vCloud NFV platform is an agile and flexible virtualized infrastructure platform. Combined with Carrier-Grade Support, this will provide Vodafone with an open platform for new service development today, with an architecture that will support 5G deployments in the future.”