Partnership to Drive Open Network Architecture

KDDI Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, has recently entered into a strategic partnership with DriveNets Ltd., an Israel-based company that specializes in promoting open network architecture. This collaboration aims to leverage the benefits of open network architecture, which involves separating hardware from software to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness in large-scale deployments. By expanding the use of disaggregated routers, the partnership seeks to improve management efficiency and optimize capital investment and operating costs for high-scale network deployments.

As part of the agreement, KDDI plans to integrate DriveNets Network Cloud into backbone core routers at four strategic locations. These integrated solutions are expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025. The primary goal of this initiative is to develop a flexible open network architecture that can rapidly adapt to market changes and technological advancements, particularly in response to the growing data demands driven by AI innovations.

The increasing proliferation of AI technology has led to a surge in demand for robust network infrastructure. Looking ahead, the industry anticipates even greater traffic volumes and more diverse networking needs. In this context, open network architecture plays a crucial role in enabling the construction of adaptable and scalable networks that can meet evolving requirements.

Since 2020, KDDI has been actively involved in advancing the development of Cluster-Based Distributed Disaggregated Backbone Routers (DDBR) through the Telecom Infra Project. Unlike traditional routers constrained by physical chassis limitations, DDBRs offer flexible capacity expansion capabilities. By June 2023, KDDI had successfully deployed DDBRs as peering routers at its internet gateway, completing technical validations by February 2025 for their use in core networks.

DriveNets, known for providing software-based network solutions optimized for disaggregated routers, has gained significant traction among leading global carriers. The successful implementation of DriveNets software in peering routers deployed by KDDI laid the groundwork for the strategic partnership between the two companies. This collaboration is poised to drive further innovation in the networking industry and set new benchmarks for network scalability and efficiency.

Kazuyuki Yoshimura, Senior Managing Executive Officer, CTO, and General Manager of the Core Technology Sector at KDDI Corporation, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “Our collaboration with DriveNets signifies our commitment to building open and scalable networks. We believe that this partnership will lead to significant innovations, enabling us to create a flexible and robust network architecture tailored to the AI era. This will empower us to swiftly adapt to changing market dynamics and establish new industry standards.”

Ido Susan, CEO of DriveNets Ltd., also shared his thoughts on the partnership, emphasizing the shared vision of promoting openness, disaggregation, and innovation across all network layers. By focusing on streamlining network operations, introducing automation, and leveraging generative AI tools, DriveNets aims to support KDDI in enhancing the efficiency of its network infrastructure. The ultimate goal is to build a resilient architecture capable of meeting future demands with flexibility and agility.

With a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation, the partnership between KDDI Corporation and DriveNets Ltd. is poised to drive significant advancements in the networking industry. By combining their expertise and resources, the two companies aim to revolutionize network architecture, paving the way for more efficient, scalable, and adaptable networks that can meet the evolving demands of the AI-driven era.