T-Mobile announced completion of its virtualized packet core buildout across its nationwide footprint using Cisco’s distributed software defined network (SDN) architecture.

The third largest Operator in the US claims that the deployment as the world’s largest, supporting more than 70 million customers.

The two companies have also signed a five-year agreement to continue buildout of T-Mobile’s 5G Packet Core and Policy Suite, spanning hardware, software and services. With Cisco’s Ultra Virtual Packet Core & Policy solution, T-Mobile can deploy 5G nationwide, while realizing the full potential of virtualization and cloud to offer its customers new services faster.

Neville Ray, CTO, T-Mobile

This was a significant undertaking for us, shifting from a centralized to a distributed core architecture across our footprint, and we couldn’t have achieved that without virtualization. This means we can further our 5G plans with more flexibility and agility to deliver new services to our customers – and with Sprint we’ll shift it all into overdrive!