Business communications provider FluidOne, which also supplies a number of ISPs, has launched its new software defined network solution called Platform One, which claims to aggregate and integrate the fixed line, broadband, mobile and wireless services of “just about every major supplier in the UK“.
Obviously this is not a solution for ordinary consumers (at least not directly) and it’s more intended for businesses or managed comms providers that “need to connect multiple people, places and things using a mix different connection types to the private and cloud based services they need to thrive.”
On the physical side, the software controlled Platform One hooks into a 1000km+ national fibre optic network, overlaid with carrier grade Juniper MPLS switching and routing systems. This interconnects directly with Ethernet services from fixed line providers Sky (Sky Broadband), TalkTalk, Virgin Media, Vodafone, BT (Wholesale), Openreach, SSE Enterprise Telecoms, Colt, Virtual1, Gigaclear and Cityfibre.
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On top of that it also connects to the mobile data services of EE, Vodafone, Three UK and O2. Plus there’s direct private connectivity to Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services, Office 365 & Microsoft Azure. Plus it features fixed wireless and microwave services from several specialist suppliers.
Russell Horton, FluidOne’s New CEO, said:
“My review of the business in period since my appointment led me to some clear conclusions, not least of which is that FluidOne is under-represented in the channel. FluidOne has developed a platform for connectivity services that is, frankly, the broadest and most capable I have ever seen.
It’s software defined network integrates Cloud, IoT, broadband, ethernet and mobile communications services from every major asset owner in the UK. It then makes them all available to partners and customers with full software control via a single in-house developed portal called DASH. It’s just what the channel need.”
All of this is better explained is their blog post, which also lists which connectivity products are available from various suppliers over the platform.
i hope it lives upto the hype.
SDN is the next big thing in networking and major carriers are jumping over themselves trying to be relevant in that space.
I’m not so sure it’ll put me out of a job just yet, but certainly looks relevant for integrators selling into SME’s.
it would be nice to roll our own config updates without the need for the ISP to go to their planning and build teams for every little config request, but circuit provision will still need some human thought especially when diversity is required.