SoftBank has deployed the Cisco NCS 5500 routing series, providing high-density 100GE routing and Segment Routing technology for optimizing network operations for its latest mobile IP core network in Japan.
SoftBank selected Cisco as part of its strategy for upgrading and expanding its existing equipment housing mobile Internet traffic. SoftBank aims to meet demand for mobile traffic capacity that is forecast to increase at 50 percent per year.
The global router market is expected to reach $72.77 billion by 2022 with a CAGR of 15.2 percent supported by the demand for transfer of data, photos, videos, and other new online services.
In a research report IDC said recently that Cisco Systems’s service provider and enterprise router revenue fell 13.3 percent, while its market share increased to 43.9 percent in Q1 2017 against 42.2 percent in Q4 2016, but down from 48.8 percent in Q1 2016.
SoftBank upgraded core routers used in its existing network to the Cisco NCS 5500, capable of housing 576 100GE ports. SoftBank’s investment in mobile IP core network supports bandwidth demand for the deployment of new services such as IoT and mobile video.
Global mobile data traffic will increase 7-fold to 1.4 zettabytes over the five years according to the recent Cisco Mobile Visual Networking Index Forecast (VNI) 2016-2021.
SoftBank is the first company in Japan to introduce Segment Routing technology advocated by Cisco Systems. Cisco said Segment Routing technology simplifies and optimizes the mobile IP core network and facilitates automation of network operations.
The mobile IP core network supports high-traffic volume, reduces fault recovery time and improves functions for ensuring high reliability of services in the event a fault occurs.
SoftBank adopted Segment Routing TI-LFA capability to reduce fault recovery time while improving reliability and redundancy.
SoftBank is aiming to become more competitive in the Japanese telecom market by enabling the rapid, flexible deployment of highly reliable services through the creation of a core network that supports traffic demand with low operating costs.
Keiichi Makizono, senior vice president, SoftBank, said: “SoftBank keeps focusing on improving service quality and enhancing the reliability and agility of network while reducing costs. Cisco’s advanced network technologies and support have allowed us to establish the mobile IP core network platform that meets the bandwidth demand.”
Baburajan K
