Caribbean telecom network operator Digicel has deployed a network functions virtualization (NFV) solution to the core network.

The 3G mobile broadband network of Digicel in Guyana for 100,000 subscribers is the first Ericsson network to go live with NFV solution in Latin America. Digicel will utilize the NFV technology to scale the network for future services and allow streamlining and optimization of its offerings.

The new 3G network will enable Digicel to offer increased speed as well as improved network quality and customer experience. Ericsson Virtual Evolved Packet Core is integrated with the mobile operator’s native network. It supports 2G, 3G and is ready for LTE.

Krishna Phillipps, CTO, Digicel Region Caribbean, said: “We asked for a solution and within 30 days Ericsson came with a creative way for us to improve our offering to subscribers in a future-proofed way. With this cloud solution, we will keep our capital expenditures low and secure easy adoption of new innovative services for the future.”

The Ericsson solution brings a complete NFV and consists of Ericsson Virtual Evolved Packet Core for mobile broadband with Ericsson Cloud Execution Environment and Ericsson Cloud Manager.