Orange’s Path to a New Disaggregated Network Design

That’s when I first thought about splitting software from hardware and its potential impact on the network. Honestly, it seemed like a game-changer. I was sure the entire industry would transform in an instant.

Who could have guessed that 17 years later I’d be working for DriveNets, writing about a successful commercial trial of disaggregated networking infrastructure on Orange’s international network? 

It took far longer than I could have imagined, but Orange, like many other telecom giants, has finally realized that embracing disaggregation isn’t just a brilliant idea – it’s a strategic necessity for service providers aiming to thrive. Today, the transition from monolithic architectures to disaggregated solutions is no longer a futuristic vision; rather, it’s a proven reality, driven by the need to adapt to evolving network demands and leverage the benefits of open, flexible, and scalable infrastructure. Continuing to manage thousands of routers, each with different roles, scales, software and hardware, is simply unsustainable.

Proving disaggregation in global IP core

Orange has always been a technology pioneer and continues to actively pursue network disaggregation for its international networks. Having successfully implemented disaggregation at the access level two years ago, Orange is now extending its efforts to its IP core. This latest proof of concept (PoC) validates the readiness and suitability of disaggregated networking for production environments, specifically within IP core solutions.

In this PoC, Orange evaluated the interoperability, performance, and maturity of disaggregated network infrastructure within its international IP core production environment, ensuring that this architecture can meet the demands of modern networking environments.

By adopting an open, software-based network, Orange and other service providers (SPs) gain key benefits:

• Greater flexibility: By using standard white boxes and advanced, customized solutions, SPs enjoy more vendor options and reduce reliance on incumbent vendors.
• Improved cost efficiency: SPs lower expenses by simplifying network design, merging layers, and sharing software and hardware across domains, reducing both capital and operating costs.
• Accelerated deployment and innovation: Orange and other SPs can quickly launch new features and services globally to secure a competitive edge. This is achieved through automation, elastic scalability, open APIs, and independent software and hardware development.

DriveNets – a leading partner in network transformation

DriveNets has positioned itself as a leading transformative partner in building modern, converged, software-based networks for Tier-1 operators on a global scale. With a proven history of successful deployments at leading SPs such as AT&T, Comcast and others across Europe, India, North America, and Japan, DriveNets is driving the future of disaggregated networking with growing momentum. The successful POC on Orange’s international network reinforces, yet again, the maturity of DriveNets technology for large-scale application and its ability to deliver immediate value.

The future of network modernization

As service providers worldwide seek to lower costs, scale efficiently, and drive innovation, network disaggregation is emerging as a key strategy for modernization. Orange’s successful PoC deployment with DriveNets sets a clear path for more operators to follow.

We are witnessing a fundamental shift in how SP networks are built and operated. A lot has changed since the day I tested DRX cycles at Orange, but, once again, transformation cannot come soon enough.

Stay tuned as DriveNets continues to lead the charge in network disaggregation and revolutionize the telecom industry.