VMware acquires Dell EMC comms-focused unit

Vendor claims to have demonstrated 'growing commitment to the telecoms space

VMware has acquired Dell EMC's Service Assurance Suite in a move which it claims will bolster its offering to comms providers.

The business offers services across network health and performance monitoring, VMware said, and will be integrated with VMware's Telco NFV portfolio.

The deal will also see the unit's team join VMware.

Shekar Ayyar, general manager of VMware's Telco NFV group, said: "As carriers are readying for 5G, they are increasingly virtualising edge and core networks with network functions virtualisation, or NFV.

"Service assurance is a critical need for any network.

"The Dell EMC Service Assurance Suite's established software and services capabilities, combined with VMware's trademark innovation, will empower CSPs (communications services providers) to modernise and accelerate the transformation of their networks through NFV upon closing."

At VMworld 2017 VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger said that the vendor would be making a push to work with more telcos, claiming that the firm is "transforming" the telecoms infrastructure space.

VMware said this latest acquisition will enable comms providers to "maintain operational reliability in their core network, cloud and IT domains".

It also stated that service assurance "becomes critical" as customers look to bridge the gap between 4G and 5G's imminent arrival.

VMware claims that 50 communications service providers globally, including "many tier-one operators" are currently using the Dell EMC Service Assurance Suite.

The vendor added: "This acquisition demonstrates VMware's growing commitment to the telecommunications industry. It also reinforces the ‘better together' synergy between VMware and Dell EMC.

"Additionally, CSP customers will benefit from the combination of VMware and Dell EMC solutions."

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.