If 2020 was the year that containerized applications became more commonplace in telco networks, then 2021 will most certainly be the year that service providers move aggressively toward cloud-native networking. But what exactly does cloud-native networking mean in the telecom world?
Cloud native is a term that comes from the IT industry that is used to describe the building and running of network functions that take advantage of the cloud computing delivery model. This model, which usually involves software containers, allows service providers to develop and deploy networks more quickly, making it possible for them to respond quickly to growth in mobile data traffic and add new services. Cloud native also typically involves automation tools that allow service providers to become more open and agile.