Telstra adds SD-WAN to Programmable Network

Australian operator Telstra has expanded the capability of its Telstra Programmable Network service with the introduction of a software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) and virtual branch.

In partnership with VeloCloud, an SD-WAN provider based in the US, Telstra has introduced the ability for businesses to shift their branch network to the cloud. Telstra announced an investment in VeloCloud through its Telstra Ventures subsidiary in March.

Business customers can achieve the migration by deploying a  single Juniper Networks Universal CPE device on site and using a marketplace of virtual network functions to self-provision bandwidth and required services.

“Cloud adoption continues to grow and new WAN architectures such as Hybrid and SD-WAN are rapidly evolving. We are unlocking this technology for our customers who depend on having the fastest and most highly available digital experiences possible,” Telstra Global Products executive director Michelle Bendschneider said.

“Businesses need to constantly adjust in a rapidly evolving technical world, so we really looked at this release from a customer’s perspective with flexibility front of mind. The addition of SD-WAN provides a more intelligent layer to that flexibility, enabling customers to do more with their network as they digitally transform their business and scale and deploy additional applications when and where they need to.”

She said Telstra plans to offer both VeloCloud SD-WAN as a virtual network function and SD-WAN as a more traditional physical solution in recognition of the fact that there is no one sized fixed all approach to business networks.

The Telstra Programmable Network is available in over 30 countries in Asia, EMEA and North America.