T-Mobile US claims ‘world’s largest’ virtual packet core

T-Mobile US has announced completion of its virtualised packet core buildout across its nationwide footprint using Cisco’s distributed software defined network (SDN) architecture. The two parties claim that the deployment represents the ‘world’s largest’ virtualised packet core, supporting more than 70 million customers. The two companies have also signed a five-year agreement to continue the buildout of T-Mobile’s 5G packet core and policy suite, spanning hardware, software and services. The cellco hopes to launch commercial 5G services in 2019.