In a landmark move for the telecom industry in Japan, KDDI Corporation, one of the country’s leading telecommunications operators, has made a significant stride in the realm of network infrastructure. With the deployment of DriveNets Network Cloud, KDDI has set a precedent as one of the first in Japan to introduce a TIP DDBR-compliant deployment and disaggregated IP infrastructure.
The news was confirmed by DriveNets, an Israel-based trailblazer in the domain of cloud-native networking technologies, which informed that KDDI has utilized their Network Cloud technology as an Internet gateway peering router.
DriveNets Network Cloud, with its unique carrier-grade peering router access capability, is facilitating KDDI to expand its network and services rapidly and cost-effectively. The solution necessitates a significantly reduced infrastructure and paves the way for the launch of an array of applications on the DriveNets Network Cloud in the near future.
KDDI Corporation’s General Manager and Chief Architect, Dr. Kenji Kumaki, stated, “KDDI is committed to utilizing the most advanced and innovative technology solutions to anticipate and respond to evolving usage trends and deliver considerable value to our customers. DriveNets Network Cloud enables us to readily expand our network as needed while keeping costs manageable.”
This strategic deployment by KDDI marks the beginning of the disaggregation of software and hardware in the service providers’ routing infrastructure. “While numerous Japanese service providers are vigorously pursuing network functions’ virtualization on their 4G and 5G networks, the disaggregation of software and hardware in the routing infrastructure is only just commencing,” said Ido Susan, co-founder and CEO of DriveNets. “We are immensely proud that KDDI, a leading provider of innovative services, opted for our Network Cloud solution.”
Service Providers
This development follows a prolonged phase of extensive testing and validation within KDDI’s laboratories and signifies the increasing global adoption of disaggregated architectures by service provider networks.
Ido Susan further predicted, “As astute service providers explore novel technologies that can help them innovate more rapidly and economize, the shift to disaggregated networking solutions will continue to be a leading trend in 2023 and beyond. Today, we are witnessing the employment of this technology in numerous large-scale networking scenarios, including AI infrastructures.”
In contrast to traditional routers, which use software, hardware, and chips from a single vendor, a DDBR solution allows service providers to break free from vendor lock-in. This new model enables greater vendor choice, rapid scaling, and the introduction of new services through modern cloud design.
DriveNets’ decentralized networking solutions are not only in demand in Japan. The company is also cooperating with other service providers in the Asia Pacific region, strengthening its position since the establishment of a Tokyo-based subsidiary in mid-2021.
DriveNets’ cloud hyperscaler-inspired architecture aims to enhance network economics and expedite innovation. The company’s Network Cloud comprises an open ecosystem with components from premier silicon suppliers and original design manufacturers (ODMs) – all authorized by partners and validated by DriveNets for seamless integration.
Founded in late 2015, DriveNets has raised more than $587 million over three funding rounds. Its cloud-native Network Cloud solution radically simplifies network operations and accelerates service innovation by operating on a shared physical infrastructure of white-boxes. The solution has already been deployed by Tier 1 operators worldwide, revolutionizing the way service and cloud providers construct their networks.
