ABI Research expects network functions virtualisation (NFV)-based mobile packet data core to ramp up this year and take in more than half of the $42 billion (€37 billion) in packet data core spending through the end of 2021. The research company said mobile networks are heading toward an IT and telecom convergence, and the entire packet core for 3G and 4G will increasingly turn to NFV virtualisation and running on commercial IT gear. Operators are expected to start with services such as the virtualisation of the packet core, IMS and voice over LTE (VoLTE), or the Gi-LAN -- an NFV/SDN solution for carrier service chaining in virtualised networks -- in select markets. Report