Case Study: Cricket Wireless achieves rapid network virtualization and faster service delivery with NetCracker SDN/NFV

NEC, Netcracker and Cricket Communications Collaborate in SDN and Network Virtualization Trial

Cricket Wireless, a U.S. prepaid operator, teamed with NEC and Netcracker to modernize its network and consolidate legacy systems while enabling more advanced enterprise data and security services. Facing the need to reduce hardware dependence, speed service delivery, and simplify management, Cricket sought to virtualize its Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and evaluate a single-point infrastructure model for virtualized network functions.

NEC and Netcracker ran an SDN/NFV trial to combine IP edge components into a single virtual infrastructure, demonstrate portability of virtual network functions across hardware, and enable advanced automation and policy-driven management. The trial is expected to deliver more flexible, dynamic network operations, faster service deployment and improved customer connectivity — validating reduced hardware reliance, accelerated time-to-market and streamlined operations.

Cricket Wireless

Rob Strickland

CTO