Tinkoff Mobile Selects NFWare Virtual CGNAT

Tinkoff Mobile and software network technology provider NFWare have signed an agreement to deploy a Virtual CGNAT solution. This deployment will allow the operator to provide IP addresses for all new subscribers during the rapid growth of their client base.

In 2012, the availability of IPv4 addresses, previously issued by regional regulators, officially ended. Operators continued to receive addresses for secondary use, but these are also projected to end by late 2019 in the EMEA region.

The protocol, developed in the 1980s, did not envision the current number of Internet users. Today, more than 7 billion devices worldwide are consuming 4.3 billion addresses. To provide an Internet connection to subscribers, operators use a CGNAT technology (Carrier Grade Network Address Translation). CGNAT allows multiple users to securely use the same IP address, thereby reducing the number of providers' unique addresses. The solution also enables a smooth migration to the new IPv6 protocol.

NFWare Virtual CGNAT translates IP addresses in the most efficient way. The solution is fully software which runs on standard servers and integrates into a virtualized infrastructure. At the same time, NFWare provides high reliability and performance of up to 240 gigabits per second, allowing the innovative vendor to successfully compete with traditional incumbent network equipment manufacturers. NFWare products have been deployed by numerous CSPs in the United States, Europe, Central Asia, and the Asia-Pacific region.

The concept of Network Services Virtualization (NFV) has been part of the Tinkoff Mobile strategy since its launch in 2017. With NFWare's software solution, Tinkoff Mobile will be able to scale the bandwidth of its network as needed within just a few hours. This, in turn, allows the operator to significantly save capital costs when expanding the network.

Launched in 2017, the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Tinkoff Mobile is part of Tinkoff Group, along with Tinkoff Bank. Today the Tinkoff Mobile brand is available in 47 regions of Russia. Tinkoff Mobile works on the full MVNO model based on the Tele2 radio access network and infrastructure. It has its own network code, a dedicated number range, SIM cards, and business applications. This model provides maximum flexibility in the development of service processes and service plans for subscribers. The Virtual Mobile Operator provides coverage throughout Russia and is fully integrated with Tinkoff Bank. Tinkoff Mobile offers a flexible and convenient mobile experience that allows customers to tailor their mobile plan to their own needs, rather than selecting from a fixed set of existing tariffs. Tinkoff Mobile also offers popular options such as the issue of a free virtual Tinkoff Bank card for subscribers, in addition to account management through a mobile application, attractive international roaming, the ability to use one SIM card on different devices, and upgrades to larger service packages at any time with a surcharge and free delivery of SIM cards.

NFWare is a developer of high-performance network software for telecom operators and Internet companies based on the technology of Network Function Virtualization (NFV). NFWare enables customers to build a flexible and efficient infrastructure. The vendor's solutions - Virtual CGNAT and Virtual Load Balancer– are software products that run on standard servers and processes traffic as fast as expensive specialized network equipment from incumbent vendors. Since its founding in 2014, NFWare has launched multiple commercial deployments in the United States, Europe, Central Asia, and the Asia-Pacific region. NFWare is an associate member of Intel Network Builders, Nokia CloudBand, and HP OpenNFV.