AT&T, Broadcom forge relationship to drive chip-level SDN innovations

AT&T and Broadcom have struck a new alliance aimed at fostering software-centric network innovations at the silicon level.

The two companies say they will focus on driving innovation of switching, routing, broadband access and customer premises equipment. 

“We continue to form relationships with disruptive suppliers as we build a software-centric network and drive the industry to software-defined networking (SDN),” said John Donovan, chief strategy officer and group president of technology and operations for AT&T, in a release.

RELATED: AT&T raises SDN network transformation goal to 55% for 2017

By working with vendors like Broadcom, AT&T hopes to guide requirements at the chipset level.

This program will help enhance video and broadband delivery to AT&T customers and across its network.

AT&T’s ongoing movement to develop relationships with companies like Broadcom is important as the telco advances its SDN goals.

Earlier this month, Donovan announced that the telco raised the bar on its network virtualization efforts again, setting a goal to equip 55% of its network with software by the end of 2017.

In 2016, the service provider set a goal to convert 30% of its network to SDN. However, AT&T surpassed that goal and met 34% of its network and is on its way to 75% by 2020.