JT Group and ip.access Deploy nanoVirt Small Cell Controller into 3G Network

Cambridge and Channel Islands, UK, 10 May 2016:  JT and ip.access, a Mavenir company since September 2020, have integrated ip.access’ nanoVirt virtualized small cell gateway into JT’s existing 3G Small Cell deployment in the Channel Islands of Guernsey & Jersey, which provides improved in-building coverage and capacity to JT’s customers and roaming visitors.

ip.access and JT agreed to enhance the 3G network capabilities and reduce the overall equipment Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by adopting the nanoVirt gateway, which integrates ip.access’ Network Orchestration System, 3G Access Controller and Security Gateway into a fully virtualised carrier-grade solution.   The nanoVirt platform also supports future deployments of ip.access 4G small cells into the network.

By adopting nanoVirt, JTwas able to benefit from the improved operational efficiencies of a common hardware platform.  Deploying nanoVirt on JT’s preferred server hardware reduces the requirement for JT to hold dedicated spares, maximises utilisation of space, and simplifies support and maintenance tasks.

The solution utilizes all the capabilities of a Virtual Environment, including HyperVisor and Virtual Switch to allow several thousand Access Points to be supported using Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) IT Equipment.  The service has been successfully integrated and validated against JT’s network, and has been running live since January.

“We selected ip.access as our preferred supplier and they integrated the solution in under 12 weeks, validating the service and server within their test network, before deploying and integrating the service within a single week on-site.  It continues JT’s drive to reduce TCO, as well as leverage key technology partners like ip.access” says Tim Knights, Head of Mobile Networks, JT.

Malcolm Gordon, CEO of ip.access added “We thoroughly enjoy working together with innovative and dedicated partners such as JT, as they help us drive our technology roadmap forward.  Our mission is to make small cell solutions easy to deploy, and virtualising the gateway functions has simplified life for us and our customers.”