This week, we take a look at two of the most important technology trends affecting the wired/wireless telecom industry: software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV).
The telecom industry in general has not been quick to adopt new technologies. Wireless, it always seemed to me, was more cutting edge, always looking for the next "G" and changing faster than most other industries. Still, even in wireless, entrepreneurs with clever new ways of doing things opined how difficult it was to get a meeting with a wireless operator and the long lead times before anyone seriously looked at their technology--all valid grievances.
Times are changing, perhaps not as fast as many startups would like, but efforts are being made by operators to meet more startups and adopt more innovative technologies. Hopefully, that process will be made easier as operators around the world move to SDN and NFV. Some are moving faster than others but all with the idea that the move will make them less dependent on single, big vendors and more nimble in the change department.
This movement to SDN and NFV requires new ways of thinking. On one side are the telecom engineers and on the other, the Information Technology (IT) brains. Sometimes these worlds collide, or challenge one another, but mostly they're collaborating. It's a huge transformation for the telco industry and it's fascinating to watch it unfold. In this special report, FierceWirelessTech takes a closer look at the machinations behind the SDN/NFV movement. Check it out here, and let us know what you think in the comments.--Monica
P.S. FierceWirelessTech will not publish on Monday, Feb. 16, in honor of the Presidents Day holiday. We'll be back in your inbox on Tuesday, Feb. 17.