By using the vCloud NFV platform, CSPs are transforming their voice and data services to next generation software-driven architectures. This chapter explores the mobile broadband transformations discussing the design considerations for physical, virtual, and VNF deployment from an end-to-end perspective.
Telco data services for 4G today are delivered over the 3GPP Evolve Packet Core (EPC). The EPC bridges the user equipment (UE) over a Radio Access Network (RAN) to the core network creating traffic bearers to deliver mobile broadband with differentiated class of services. Various technologies influence the service quality of the broadband service, from the air interface to overlay networks and physical transports.
The following figure is a conceptual view of the mobile network and EPC that illustrates an NFV transformation in a software-defined data center.
