Netcracker Technology has created a full-stack offering for service providers to create a telco cloud. Its new Netcracker Business Cloud is comprised of SDN, virtual network functions (VNFs), and orchestration software, as well as operations support systems (OSS) and business support systems (BSS) software. Netcracker Business Cloud also includes consulting services as well as sales and marketing support.

"This is a turnkey model to launch NFV services," said Ari Banerjee, Netcracker’s VP of strategy, during a media conference call.

Netcracker has been positioning itself as a prime systems integrator for NFV for quite a while, arguing that service providers don’t have the time to build everything they need to offer VNFs and cloud applications. Netcracker’s Business Cloud can be deployed in a matter of weeks, rather than years.

Customers can purchase the full stack as a service, or they can purchase components as a service to suit their business requirements.

Netcracker Business Cloud can be deployed using Netcracker’s own cloud or a multi-cloud environment comprised of a service provider’s private cloud and public clouds. For large service providers Netcracker Business Cloud offers the flexibility to host the solution in a single location and deliver it as a service to the service providers’ affiliates.

Netcracker has also created a range of pre-defined service packages via its cloud partners and third-party VNF partners from its Ecosystem 2.0 program.

The company has gained experience with NFV by working with operators such Etisalat. As prime integrator for the UAE-based service provider Netcracker manages all layers of the provider’s NFV stack, from the virtual infrastructure manager (VIM) to the management and network orchestration (MANO). It also provides SDN control and integrates VNFs from third parties as well as some of its own VNFs.

The company said its Netcracker Business Cloud is already being used by four service providers, including Telefonica. At the time of the Etisalat deal, Netcracker said it was also working on NFV with Telus, Deutsche Telecom and Vodafone.