Verizon Enterprise Solutions expands virtual network services portfolio to include session border controller as a service

NEW YORK – Verizon Enterprise Solutions, one of the first service providers to launch a network transformation strategy built on software defined networking (SDN) technology, has expanded its SDN solution suite with the launch of Virtual Network Services – Session Border Controller as a Service (SBCaaS). Available in the U.S. and many countries around the world via Verizon’s hosted network services and developed with Ribbon Communications, Virtual Network Services – SBCaaS enables geo-diverse session border controller deployments and is the latest example of Verizon’s commitment to helping enterprises migrate to a digital environment. As the needs of the global marketplace evolve, Verizon is growing its SDN and VNS portfolios to give enterprises the tools and support they need to grow with it. 

 

“Increasing reliance on low-latency digital media and unified communications solutions is driving enterprises to apply the advantages of network virtualization to their IP voice and session border controllers,” said Vickie Lonker, vice president of Network and Virtual Solutions for Verizon. “Virtual Network Services – SBCaaS delivers the advanced interworking and security features these businesses depend on in a truly elastic operating expense model, helping them better manage their costs, adjust to changing business needs, and reduce the reliance on dedicated network hardware and their potential points of network failure.”

 

For enterprises delivering new services or keeping ahead of seasonal demands, network hardware installation and configuration can be time consuming and labor intensive. And, legacy network infrastructure includes layers of potential failure points and configuration challenges. An agile, elastic solution that can be deployed in days rather than weeks, and without large capital costs, can help enterprises meet their evolving service delivery expectations, as well as help prevent toll fraud and TDoS threats.

 

According to Kevin Riley, CTO and Advanced R&D, Ribbon, “In a rapidly evolving technology landscape, enterprises need to innovate without the wait. Verizon’s Virtual Network Services – SBCaaS provides enterprises with a fast, safe path to the future that has already been vetted and validated by a partner they trust. SBCaaS with Ribbon combines strong security with a cloud-based consumption model to enable enterprises to protect their networks and maintain high-quality real-time communications with confidence whether they have ten users or ten thousand.”

 

“Session border controllers are a critical part of an IP-based infrastructure,” said Mike Brandenburg, industry analyst with Frost & Sullivan. “However, they’ve traditionally been very capex-heavy and required a lot of skill to deploy and maintain. By virtualizing the SBC and taking those pain points away, Verizon is taking a disruptive approach and offering a compelling alternative to an on-premise, manually configured SBC deployment.”

 

Available with “pay-as-you-go” subscription pricing, Virtual Network Services – SBCaaS can be deployed as a stand-alone option or service chained with other virtualized network functions (VNFs) to expedite enhanced security, quality of service, and regulatory compliance for IP voice and video communications. 

 

As with the entire Verizon VNS portfolio, Virtual Network Services - SBCaaS offers predictable operating expense model pricing and other service feature, capacity, and delivery options to help simplify budgetary planning and improve utilization of network resources. Enterprise Orchestration enables rapid service delivery and global policy change management, helping users deal with anticipated and unexpected spikes in capacity requirements, while eliminating the need for on-site re-configuration.   

 

Additional options, including premise-based Verizon universal CPE (uCPE) and hybrid network deployment, as well as expanded VNF service chain and capacity selections, are planned for release throughout 2018.

 

Enterprise networking is in the midst of an evolution. International companies and organizations want increased flexibility and the ability to maximize their network resources. Verizon is creating intelligent, dynamic networks for enterprises that respond automatically to changing business needs to help achieve the best business outcomes. The company’s ecosystem of on-demand virtualized network solutions accelerate cloud and digital migration, reduce IT complexity, and control costs.