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A recent OpenCloud-sponsored survey shows that three-quarters of telecom operators plan to deploy a converged service layer (CSL) by 2018.
A converged service layer is a service-layer architecture designed to deliver real-time voice and video calling services independently of the underlying access network. Operators are increasingly adopting CSLs to replace complex legacy service layers that struggle to provide consistent service across diverse access technologies. According to the report, a small number of CSL deployments have already taken place.
The study indicates that two major factors will drive CSL adoption: the need for greater service agility and the rise of network function virtualization (NFV). Many operators currently manage multiple cellular, wireline and Wi‑Fi access networks in parallel, and ensuring uniform service experience across these networks is a persistent challenge.
Heavy Reading conducted the survey on behalf of OpenCloud, polling telecom operators across international markets. More than one-third of respondents described CSL architecture as “critical” for delivering services across different access network types, while 46% rated it as “important.”
The survey also identified the vendor capabilities operators prioritize when selecting a CSL partner. Fifty-two percent of respondents said experience with control-plane technologies and virtualization is a critical qualification for a CSL vendor.
NFV emerged as a key technical catalyst for CSL deployment. Forty-eight percent of operators told the researchers that their NFV migration presented an opportunity to introduce a converged service layer. About one-third cited improved service agility as a primary reason to adopt CSL, and 58% pointed to the transition to 4G and 5G as a motivating factor. Other significant drivers included capital expenditure reductions (60%) and operational expenditure savings (51%).
Jonathan Bell, VP of marketing at OpenCloud, commented: “The survey results clearly demonstrate an active and growing interest in a converged service layer architecture that can serve multiple legacy and new access networks. With a converged service layer, operators have the ability to deliver real-time voice and video-calling services regardless of the access network technology, meaning services may be delivered over 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi‑Fi and in the future 5G connections.”