Affirmed Networks, a provider of virtualized mobile networks, has opened its network function virtualization (NFV) Center in Dubai.

The above chart prepared by SNS Telecom & IT indicates about the NFV and SDN investment forecast for 2020.

The new NFV center will support the growing demand for NFV networks among operators in the Middle East. The center will allow Affirmed to share its expertise ensuring deployments of virtualized networks in the region.

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Telecom operators are making investment in NFV technologies in order to transform their networks to create the flexibility to deliver innovative revenue generating services. Affirmed Networks has already started working with mobile operators in the Middle East. The company did not reveal names.

Beyond today’s NFV deployments, network transformation will be critical for 5G mobile evolution. According to the GSMA, markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), will be among the first countries globally to launch commercial 5G networks.

Abir Hnidi, vice president, Middle East Region, Affirmed Networks will be responsible for the customer trials and deployments of NFV in the Middle East.

The mobile technology company said the center of excellence provides proof-of-concepts, best practices and pre-integration testing for the deployment of 4G and 5G virtualized applications, including virtualized packet core, network optimization, M2M/NB-IoT and ePDG.

Affirmed Networks has more than 65 customers across five continents, including some of the world’s largest and most innovative operators.