ISSUE 05 2014
SOFTWARE-DEFINED NETWORKING
45
To meet the demands of the digitally connected world, networks must do more than merely provide static connections between devices; they need to learn to essentially think for themselves and adapt automatically to rapidly shifting user demands
Thinking networks: the endgame The evolution of software-driven networks will ultimately result in the establishment of highly evolved, thinking networks that will be able to process subscriber and network information in light of the data they have already stored, adapting and becoming more intelligent with each transaction.
The endgame for these thinking networks will be to automatically organise and optimise themselves to respond to unprecedented and unpredictable network events – such as spikes in traffic – more efficiently and intelligently. These networks will also be able to anticipate subscribers’ behaviour and predict their preferences to instinctively present them with relevant offer options.
For their part, CSPs will gain additional insight into their subscribers’ digital lifestyles, including feedback into how and where they use their mobile devices, while also keeping track of what services appeal to individual customers.
Armed with this level of subscriber knowledge, operators will be able to drive the adoption of new services developed specifically to meet the demands of their subscribers, and develop innovative offerings that can help them carve out new revenue streams in the digital era.
The race to monetise While the evolution of software-defined thinking networks will be a gradual one, each phase of the process will present new opportunities for CSPs to develop innovative services. As operators begin adopting Diameter network resources, the added capacity and flexibility afforded to them will lead to the development of more flexible, customer-focused offerings and consistent, high-quality network performance when roaming between countries.
Providers envision a whole spectrum of different possibilities with SDN in the future, and are racing to develop the applications that will make it pay off for them first. While they are still working to delineate their NFV strategies, before ultimately making the move to a full SDN environment, operators’ enthusiasm for this technology suggests they expect the benefits it will bring them to be well worth the effort of initiating the transition to SDN.
To best scale and support the new services they develop in line with customer demand, while at the same time maintaining a pace that will keep them at the forefront of innovation, CSPs can begin by virtualising their networks piece by piece, which will allow them to phase the rollout of their improved services and avoid the risks of a full-on ‘build it and they will come’ approach.
It’s a digital world To meet the demands of the digitally connected world, networks must do more than merely provide static connections between devices; they need to learn to essentially think for themselves and adapt automatically to rapidly shifting user demands. Software-defined thinking networks will provide the means to that end.
While the move to self-managing thinking networks will by no means be instantaneous, the first phase of the process is already underway and proving profitable for CSPs worldwide. As this evolution continues, forward-thinking providers can continue to carve out new opportunities for themselves by developing innovative services that make the most of their Diameter signalling and network virtualisation tools along the way.
While progress will demand some significant changes on their part, CSPs that do embrace this opportunity and make the transition from network and device providers to digital lifestyle providers stand to strengthen relationships with their existing customers and generate new opportunities in the digital era. LTE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52