Nokia first to contribute open source software to accelerate adoption of software-defined fixed access networks

• Nokia brings together open source software and industry specifications for software-defined access under the Broadband Forum (BBF) umbrella
• The Broadband Access Abstraction (BAA) open source initiative aims to ease the management of open, multi-vendor access networks so the industry can accelerate innovation at a time of surging data-driven demand

28 September, 2017

Espoo, Finland - Nokia is playing a leading role in the Broadband Forum's effort to spark fixed access network innovation by spearheading the new Broadband Access Abstraction (BAA) project. The initiative, led by Nokia, seeks to drive the adoption of software-defined access networks through the contribution of open source software, uniting vendors and operators to ensure they are aligned with industry specifications to meet the needs of operators globally.

The project seeks to define a software reference implementation for an open BAA layer, which would eliminate dependencies on vendor-specific equipment and proprietary software functions by providing standardized interfaces and decoupling implementation from the underlying hardware.

Nokia is the first vendor partner to contribute open source code under the BAA project. Fully aligned with BBF standard data models, the open source code delivers common management functionality, making it easier to operate multi-vendor, multi-technology access networks and letting operators and vendors focus on developing new innovative cloud capabilities instead.

The project is created within the BBF - a non-profit industry organization focused on engineering smarter and faster broadband networks - under the Open Broadband (OB) program and taps into deep experience in defining network architectures that fulfill a wide range of requirements and operator needs. Developing both the specifications and reference codes under a single organizational umbrella will shorten feedback loops and reduce the development efforts and testing cycles required.

Robin Mersh, CEO of Broadband Forum, said: "We are excited to have Nokia be the first vendor in the Forum to contribute open source code under the Broadband Access Abstraction open source initiative. This will help reduce the time and efforts needed to achieve interoperability and help operators to develop a framework for cloud infrastructure in the central office. By aligning open source code to industry specifications, the Forum can effectively collaborate with the open source community to aid in development and testing."  

Federico Guillén, president of Nokia's Fixed Networks Business Group, said: "Open source software is a powerful tool that can make us more efficient as an industry. However, one of the biggest hurdles is simply getting started. Together with BBF, Nokia is driving an agile and collaborative environment that produces reusable software for fixed access operators across the globe. By opening and standardizing the common, generic part of the network software, we avoid the need to re-write that same software for every technology, every vendor and every node. In turn, we can now focus our efforts on developing new applications and capabilities that make the network faster, better, and smarter: for example, converging fixed and mobile networks; fronthauling 5G over fiber-access networks, automating operations and building self-healing and self-optimizing networks."

Mauro Tilocca, project manager of Wireline Innovation and Access Network Automation at Telecom Italia, said: "The BAA open source initiative creates an open environment amongst vendors and operators that helps to accelerate the creation and introduction of new and innovative services. The alignment with the BBF gives us confidence and assurance that any software conceived under the initiative will be interoperable and meet the various specifications of our network."

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