AT&T on the homestretch of virtualization goal

AT&T is on the final leg of having 75% of its network virtualized by 2020, but there are still a few hurdles to clear on the stretch run.AT&T first outlined its virtualization project back in 2013 as part of its Domain 2.0 initiative. The plan included using its internally developed ECOMP, which is now part of ONAP, and software-defined networking (SDN) to virtualize and put into production critical network functions.Along the way, AT&T came up with the stated goal of having 75% of its core network functions virtualized by 2020. AT&T stood at 30% of its goal at the end of 2016 and then spent the next two years scaling out and globalizing its virtualization efforts. Mazin Gilbert, vice president of advanced technology and systems at AT&T Labs, said AT&T finished up last year with 65.5% of its network virtualized, which hit last year's goal.