Japan’s largest operator NTT Docomo commercially launched a multi-vendor NFV platform, using Ericsson technology to provide interoperability and connectivity with any carrier-class virtualised network function and software defined network.

Ericsson’s NFV platform is based on an open architecture and consists of its OpenStack-based Cloud Execution Environment (the virtualisation platform) and Cloud Manager for NFV orchestration, the company said in a statement.

The platform, which Ericsson claims is the first of its kind in the world, initially supports a multi-vendor virtual evolved packet core (EPC) deployment. Ericsson also provided system integration and support services for the operator.

The virtualised environment enables Docomo to accelerate the delivery of new services over a stable and interoperable network, Ericsson said.