News
U.S. telco offers virtualised security, WAN optimisation, and SD-WAN from half a dozen vendor partners via three deployment models.
Verizon on Thursday followed in the footsteps of arch-rival AT&T with the launch of virtual network services for the enterprise community.
The U.S. telco’s Enterprise Solutions business is making the Virtual Network Services option immediately available to businesses globally under an as-a-service model.
Initially, its Virtual Network Services packages cover security, WAN optimisation, and SD-WAN. Its vendor partners are Cisco, Fortinet, Juniper Networks, Palo Alto Networks, Riverbed, and Viptela.
Verizon is making three deployment options available to businesses: on-premise universal CPE; cloud-based virtual CPE services, available from the autumn; and a hybrid model, which enables customers to mix premises-based and cloud-based offerings.
Its universal CPE technology partners are Cisco and Juniper Networks.
Traditional networks have become more complex and difficult to manage, and enterprises need more agility and the ability to scale quickly, Verizon said.
"Today the network is transitioning to a virtualised model using similar technology that drove the disruption in the data centre market," said Shawn Hakl, vice president of networking and innovation at Verizon.
"With our new solution set, enterprises will be able to balance agility, performance, cost and security necessitated by the growth of mobile-to-cloud applications and the Internet of Things," Hakl added.
Verizon quoted IDC research manager, enterprise telecom Nav Chander as saying that it is "out in front" with the launch of Virtual Network Services.
"Their vision, strategy and service deployment are right on point," Chander said. "I expect others in the industry to follow suit."
