Etisalat and Intel join hands to deploy NFV and SDN in the network

Dubai, 20 October 2015

Transforming network, tools, processes and building skills and competencies to virtualize Etisalat network functions

Etisalat today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Intel to help networks cope with the new era of Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN).

Etisalat NFV/SDN deployment is aimed to enhance user experience and increase service agility and innovation. Virtualization will enable Etisalat offer customers, both businesses and consumers, flexible, scalable, more dynamic and innovative services.

Under the strategic partnership, Intel will share knowledge, provide advice for competence build-up and assessment of NFV/SDN solutions to be deployed within the Etisalat network. The collaboration will foster both parties to utilize Intel technology in the telecom cloud infrastructure deployment. This will lead to a more open, standardized and highly efficient carrier grade SDN/NFV multi-vendor technology deployment.

Esmaeel Al Hammadi, Senior Vice President, Network Development at Etisalat said, "We are pleased to announce our partnership with Intel, enabling our customers with faster access to innovative services on an intelligent network with better connectivity and reach. The deployment of NFV/SDN will provide flexibility as well as savings in the long-run, helping us better control and automate network functions and policies. This translates into a dynamic network delivering the latest services, facilitating new technologies deployment and meeting demands of our growing customer base." Taha Khalifa, Regional General Manager Middle East and North Africa added "NFV and SDN are already demonstrating the ability to transform networks for increased agility and efficiency. Intel is investing in technology, ecosystem enabling, open standards, open source, and deep industry engagements to accelerate availability of innovative solutions. Intel is delighted to partner with Etisalat to create a foundation for network transformation that will speed up the deployment of new digital services for businesses and consumers "

NFV allows telecom operators to virtualise existing network functions by using customized software to work on common standard hardware cutting down costs, shortening time to service and creating multi-vendor scalable environment. SDN enables carriers to use centralized software to control and automate network functions, services and policies in the cloud easily replicating software throughout the networks in a flexible and highly efficient approach.