Colt and Proximus trial new Proof of Concept to test API collaboration and End-to-End Network as a Service automation
Colt Technology Services, the digital infrastructure company, and Proximus, Belgium’s leading telecommunication and digital services company, today announced a joint Proof of Concept (PoC) based on MEF LSO Sonata APIs, designed to streamline and enhance carrier-to-carrier automation. MEF is a non-profit industry forum of network, cloud, and technology providers collaborating to define new Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) offerings. Together, the members develop standards, certifications, and APIs that accelerate automation and empower enterprise digital transformation throughout the ecosystem.
The PoC – the first such collaboration between Colt and Proximus – has scoped and tested inter-carrier APIs aiming to make it easier and faster for Colt to integrate and automate their end-to-end services so they can deliver a frictionless, connected customer experience and reduce delivery times.
For Proximus, MEF E-access is a key step towards a digital ecosystem enabling effortless national connectivity (End-to-End Network as a service). Through co-creation with a partner like Colt, Proximus is developing customer-centric and innovative solutions. As a next step in its digital transformation towards wholesale customers, Proximus will turn into a full digital service provider by adding extra features such as Universal CPE (uCPE) and Virtual Network Functions (VNF).
During the trial, network services were successfully provisioned between the UK and Belgium, enabled by Proximus’ new Wholesale E-Access service and Colt’s On Demand NaaS platform. This allowed NaaS-to-NaaS control using a programmatic API-to-API interface between the separate network architectures, proving that SDN-managed services can be set up across multiple networks in a fully automated way. They can also be managed and flexed in near-real time.
Peter Coppens, VP Infrastructure and Connectivity Solutions, Colt Technology Services said, “This exciting Proof of Concept with Proximus has explored ways to introduce a greater level of digitalisation and automation in global network access sourcing. It means that our NaaS platform can now expand seamlessly across carrier boundaries. Ultimately our Enterprise and Carrier customers benefit from a faster, simpler and fully-automated quoting, ordering and delivery experience helping them to stay connected and benefit from the enormous potential and power of the digital universe.”
Geert Standaert, Network & Wholesale Lead, Proximus, said, “This Proof of concept together with Colt reflects our ambition to embrace innovation through open ecosystems. At Proximus, we are proud to introduce E-Access, a new wholesale MEF-standardised solution, unique in Belgium, that redefines connectivity and allows telecom companies to establish seamless connectivity with their end-users at the click of a button. Such automated connection is only the beginning and a step towards a more efficient, sustainable and digitalised world.”
About Proximus
Proximus Group (Euronext Brussels: PROX), headquartered in Brussels, is a provider of future-proof connectivity, IT and digital services, operating in the Benelux and global markets. The Group is actively engaged in building a connected world and in ensuring the trustworthiness, security and sovereignty of digital services, to the benefit of society.
Proximus has the ambition to build the #1 gigabit network for Belgium and plays a central role in creating inspiring digital ecosystems, while fostering an engaging culture and empowering ways of working. Building upon these strengths, Proximus aims to contribute to an inclusive and sustainable digital society, delight customers with an unrivalled experience and achieve profitable growth both locally and internationally to deliver long-term value for stakeholders.
In Belgium, Proximus’ core products and services are offered under the Proximus, Mobile Vikings, Scarlet and Proximus NXT brands. The Group is also active in Luxembourg (Tango and Telindus Luxembourg) and in the Netherlands (Telindus Netherlands). The Group’s international carrier activities are managed by BICS, a leading international communications enabler, one of the key global voice carriers and the leading provider of mobile data services worldwide. With Telesign, the Group also encompasses a fast-growing leader in authentication and digital identity services, serving the world’s largest internet brands, digital champions and cloud native businesses.
With 11,654 employees, imbued with Proximus’ Think Possible mindset and all engaged to offer a superior customer experience, the Group realized an underlying Group revenue of EUR 6,042 million end-2023.
For more information, visit www.proximus.com & www.proximus.be.
About Colt Technology Services
Colt Technology Services (Colt) is a global digital infrastructure company which creates extraordinary connections to help businesses succeed. Powered by amazing people and like-minded partners, Colt is driven by its purpose: to put the power of the digital universe in the hands of its customers, wherever, whenever and however they choose.
Since 1992, Colt has set itself apart through its deep commitment to its customers, growing from its heritage in the City of London to a global business spanning 40+ countries, with over 6,000 employees and more than 80 offices around the world. Colt’s customers benefit from expansive digital infrastructure connecting 32,000 buildings across 230 cities, more than 50 Metropolitan Area Networks and 250+ Points of Presence across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and North America’s largest business hubs.
Privately owned, Colt is one of the most financially sound companies in the sector. Obsessed with delivering industry-leading customer experience, Colt is guided by its dedication to customer innovation, by its values and its responsibility to its customers, partners, people and the planet.
For more information, please visit www.colt.net
