Vodafone Makes Software Upgrade To Its Global Internet Network To Boost Capacity And Security At Scale

Vodafone successfully completed an advanced software upgrade across its entire global transport network, which serves hundreds of millions of users and third-party internet and content providers in 28 countries across four continents.

The software enhancement is the foundation on which Vodafone and its wholesale and enterprise customers can progressively add capacity faster and more cost-effectively to meet future demand, as well as introduce new services and boost security at scale.

As part of its digital evolution, Vodafone directly applied Software Defined Networking (SDN) to the multi-vendor parts of the global network that orchestrates all mobile and fixed data and voice traffic.  Specifically, Vodafone engineers applied the software to both the Optical Network, which converts data into light for transmission at very high speeds, and the Internet Protocol (IP) Network that securely allows computers and devices to connect to the Internet.

The new technology will lead to a network that is fully automated and programmable and behaves more like a super-computer. Changes to more than 620 multi-vendor network platforms can be achieved using software-driven commands, virtually stored in Vodafone’s secure private cloud.

Johan Wibergh, Chief Technology Officer of Vodafone, said: “This software upgrade gives us a single view on the section of the transport network connecting people and machines globally. It will allow us to provide even faster and more secure connectivity across Europe and to other regions. We can continually and automatically adapt to dynamic peaks in traffic worldwide, whether they are due to people returning to the office or live streaming major sports events.”

With data traffic over Vodafone’s fixed and mobile networks continuing to grow by more than 15% per year, Vodafone can now more easily meet demand. And through the introduction of advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence, the company will in the future be able to anticipate precisely where it is needed.

Vodafone’s global transport network is the engine of the company’s network operations. It comprises optical fibre cables capable of carrying and directing up to 250 terabytes of data traffic at any one time. It provides the vital links connecting consumers, businesses, and strategic partners via tens of thousands of mobile base stations across Europe and Africa and more than 270 third party and Vodafone-owned data centres.

In addition, Vodafone will better serve the needs of global customers from a single source and a universal contract without them having to deal with a patchwork of separate in-country operators’ networks. Common transport network APIs can also be made available to Vodafone’s global customers and strategic partners so they can improve the quality and the performance of their own streaming, internet, and data services for end users.

Source: Vodafone media announcement