American wireless carrier Verizon is implementing a software defined network (SDN) architecture to gain from operational efficiencies and enable flexible service delivery to customers.

Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Ericsson, Juniper Networks and Nokia Networks are the telecom equipment partners for the SDN project of Verizon. SDN enables network programmability leveraging a centralized controller and orchestrator to program network flows.

Verizon and its technology vendors have co-authored a SDN network architecture document, which includes interface specifications and reference architectures plus requirements for both the control layer and forwarding box functions, to enable partners to develop solutions to achieve the business and technical benefits of an SDN-enabled network.

Earlier, Verizon created live lab environments in San Jose, California; Tampa, Florida; and Waltham, Massachusetts, and has commercial data center environments on both the East and West Coasts.

“Verizon and our key technology partners have focused on providing high-performance networks for our customers, and with this SDN architecture we will continue to ensure our network and services meet the needs of our customers, today and in the future,” said Roger Gurnani, chief information and technology architect at Verizon.

Verizon Wireless has 108.6 million retail connections and achieved more than $127 billion in 2014 revenues.

Baburajan K
[email protected]