Virtualized Networks are Coming

Virtualization is among the very-biggest trends in networking, both in the core and in the access network, with the biggest changes to come as 5G becomes a reality. Gone will be the days when a facilities-based service provider relied mostly on its own, owned networks. 

Instead, the access function will be handled in a number of ways, combining use of owned, leased and borrowed facilities; licensed and unlicensed spectrum; unlicensed spectrum augmented by licensed spectrum or sometimes mostly using unlicensed or shared spectrum.