“Network operators are transforming into indirect cloud providers”

Operators and enterprises are looking at automating network test labs to drive speed, innovation, and cost reduction while improving collaboration with customers and suppliers. Spirent Communications Director of Business Development CP Manoharan, in an interaction with Anusha Ashwin, talks about how this is done, the changing world of telecom operators, and the company’s offerings in India. Excerpts:

- Anusha Ashwin

CP Manoharan Director, Business Development, Spirent Communications

How can telecom operators reduce the complexity and costs of 5G testing, while advancing time to revenue for new services?

Performance of 5G core networks is paramount for attracting enterprise investments, trust, and use case adoption. This is driving operators to expedite realistic and authentic system testing emulating real-world conditions, spanning a range of network elements and complex procedures, bringing higher stability and endurance requirements, while reducing complexity and costs. Operators have begun to embrace open and virtual network infrastructure and 5G is seen catalyzaing significant developments in the next-generation networks. Telecom operators must deploy service assurance alongside the earliest stages of their next-gen network rollouts to minimize cost and improve time-to-market, for delivering 5G service offerings.

Spirent has been supporting many 5G-driven engagements with telecom operators, network equipment manufacturers, and device makers. We are focussed on helping customers so that they advance quickly in pursuit of new opportunities. Spirent is a leader in 5G test, assurance, analytics, and security, with end-to-end expertise and solutions that address the challenges of 5G, from lab to live network testing.

Cloud-native and software-defined are critical for 5G and enterprise networks. What is your take on this?