We had a lot to prove when we first started on our network transformation journey at AT&T several years ago.
A network built on software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) was a foreign concept to many. And we knew we couldn’t make this all happen on our own.
The best innovation comes from collaboration. Today, I’m thrilled to share one of the companies we’re teaming with on our cloud network initiative is Intel.
Intel and AT&T have worked together for a long time. Most recently, we’ve been collaborating on technologies including 5G and drones. Bringing them into our software-centric network program was a natural fit. We’ll also be joining Intel’s “Super 7”. These are influential web and cloud companies on the cutting edge of network and data center design. We’re the first connectivity company to join this group. Call it the “Super 7+1”.
We’ll be optimizing NFV packet processing efficiency for our AT&T Integrated Cloud, or AIC. We’ll also define reference architectures and align NFV roadmaps to speed up our network transformation.
This means we’ll continue to get new software-based network services and capabilities to our customers faster than ever, just as we did with Network on Demand and Network Functions on Demand.
Open source software running on hardware powered by Intel chips will enable many of these virtualized network functions. So we’re asking the developer community to stay engaged, too. Open source groups like OpenStack, OPNFV, OpenDaylight, ON.lab, OpenContrail, the Open Compute Project and others are vital to us.
The demands on our network are booming.
Consumers are adopting data-hungry apps like virtual reality and augmented reality, 4K video and the Internet of Things. Enterprises want greater and near real-time control of virtualized network functions. We think this Intel collaboration will speed innovation in all those areas and help us stay ahead of demand.
Intel and AT&T have helped define computing and connectivity. We can’t wait to do it again.
Andre Fuetsch - Senior Vice President of Domain 2.0 Architecture & Design