For mobile operators, the evolution and adoption of Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is a positive look into the future of network operations. NFV is an initiative to virtualize network services that are currently carried out by hardware. The goal of NFV adoption is to decrease the amount of proprietary hardware needed to launch and operate network services, leading to reduced overhead costs and increased efficiency.

Full NFV adoption may take years to accomplish, but will enable network administrators to work without purchasing dedicated hardware to build a service chain. Server capacity will be able to be added through software and will eliminate the need for network administrators to overprovision their data centers, which will reduce both capital expenses (CapEx) and operating expenses (OpEx). NFV adoption will provide both increased agility and flexibility for organizations to accomplish the changing waves of network service demands.

Over the next few years, the network will see large service providers explore and start to implement a range of SDN and NFV technologies on common-off-the-shelf (COTS) platforms comprising a wide variety of use cases. In addition, NFV will become the mainstream option for service providers deploying cloud and network architectures.