Telecommunications service provider Level 3 launched a managed software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) service as a component of its hybrid networking portfolio.

Level 3 is using SD-WAN technologies from other vendors and is packaging it with the security services and software-defined networking (SDN) capabilities the company already has, said Anthony Christie, Level 3 CMO.

These additional capabilities include zero-touch provisioning, policy-based routing, application steering, and local Internet breakout. Level 3’s hybrid networking system also provides MPLS, Ethernet, or direct Internet access connectivity. Customers can also use third-party providers for connectivity as well.

By the end of the fourth quarter 2017, Christie said he expects the SD-WAN capabilities to be fully integrated with the company’s adaptive network security and IP VPN offerings as well.

Additionally, all of these services are delivered through the provider’s extensive software-defined network allowing it to create private networks over a mix of private and public infrastructure.

It is worth mentioning that CenturyLink, which entered an agreement to acquire Level 3 for $34 billion, is also offering SD-WAN as a managed service. The company offers SD-WAN services provided by Versa Networks and also recently announced that it is adding Cisco's Meraki to its SD-WAN portfolio for customers with less-demanding networks.

At the time of the CenturyLink-Level 3 announcement, SD-WAN was touted as a synergy between the two companies to grab more market share among enterprise customers. It will be interesting to see how both of these companies will combine their SD-WAN offerings, but for now, the two SD-WAN offerings remain independent, Christie said.