Software defined networking (SDN) and its  complementary technology network functions virtualization (NFV) are helping enterprises globally in improving the agility, automation capability, flexibility and interoperability of their network designs.

·       SDN helps create a virtualized network overlay, which allows the underlying network to quickly respond to network changes and forward traffic efficiently.

·             NFV allows the transition of traditional network functions such as load balancers, firewalls, subscriber policy management, and mobile radio access network from a physical hardware set up to a virtual network.

·           SDN and NFV deployments have started altering operational and service dynamics for telecom operators across the world.

·            Operators are increasingly using SDN an NFV to manage and provision network services from a centralized location, thereby enabling faster and cost-efficient delivery of on-demand applications with minimal disruption.

·       Besides, the bandwidth flexibility, programmability and automation capabilities of SDN and NFV are helping service providers monetize their range of services linked to the internet of things (IoT) and cloud infrastructure.

·                   The global SDN market is expected to grow from $8.8 billion in 2018 to $28.9 billion by 2023, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.8%.

·          As per industry estimates, the size of the NFV market will reach $70 billion by 2024 driven by the growing adoption of mobility.

·              At present Bharti Airtel is using SDN/NFV to offer music and on-demand video services.

·              Vodafone Idea Limited is also running trials of SDN and NFV and plans to soon deploy these technologies commercially.

·       Enabling role of SDN and NFV in 5G roll-outs

·            SDN and NFV are expected to accelerate 5G deployment by addressing the major functional needs of 5G networks.

·        SDN and NFV will also help operators scale easily to support 5G expansion and configure their networks to allow seamless interaction among different services inside the core network.

·             NFV will play a critical role in the deployment of 5G services on the third party hosting infrastructures.

·         Meanwhile, SDN can be used to provide an overall framework to enable 5G to function across a normalized control plane.

·           Over the past 2 to 3 years wide-area network (SD-WAN) has emerged as the most popular application of SDN technology.

·       Key Challenges

·     For one until the migration to all virtual networks is completed, enterprises and services providers will have to deal with a combination of legacy networks and new virtualized networks to manage a multivendor environment

·  Further an enterprise cannot fully leverage SDN and NFV unless its operations support systems and business support systems are aligned with the new technologies.

·   On the technology front the lack of mature technology, consensus on multiple open source standardization initiatives and proven business cases also pose significant challenges.