SDN Communications has picked Nokia to upgrade its IP and optical networks ahead of its launch of 5G services. SDN Communications, which is a business-to-business service provider primarily with customers in South Dakota and southern Minnesota, is using Nokia's Network Services Platform (NSP) to reduce costs and automate its IP and optical networks.
NSP is a software-defined networking (SDN) platform for multi-layer, cross-domain and multi-vendor management of IP routing and optical transport assets. It works by unifying service automation, network optimization and assurance across a single software platform, which enables service providers such as SDN Communications to deliver on-demand network services at scale at reduced costs.
RELATED: Nokia gears up for 400G with new WaveFabric Elements optical portfolio
“SDN has long been a Nokia IP core and edge router customer and, most recently, we have expanded the work to include the deployment of a next-generation Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing network based on the Nokia 1830 Photonic Service Switch platform," said SDN Communications CEO Mark Shlanta, in a statement. "We have a strong investment in caring for our network, and Nokia was an ideal choice to work with us to visualize, coordinate and automate our multi-layer IP and optical network through their Network Services Platform.”
SDN is owned by 17 South Dakota independent telecommunications companies that are comprised of cooperatives, family, municipal, and tribal-owned companies. They joined their independent networks in 1989 and created SDN as a hub for long-distance service to their rural customer base.
Its fiber footprint allows file sharing and internet traffic. Additionally, SDN partners with nine southern Minnesota and one northern Iowa independent telecommunications companies.