Comcast to Become First Cable Operator with Carrier-Grade SD-WAN
Comcast Business announces SD-WAN beta trial for mid-market and enterprise

 Comcast Business today announced it is beta testing a new software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) solution for mid-market and enterprise customers. Comcast Business’ SD-WAN solution combines the power of gigabit speeds with the agility of software-defined networks, enabling better application performance, centralized network policy management, and more effective cost controls. The company announced its trial of SD-WAN at Interop ITX in Las Vegas (booth #217).

Comcast Business is the first cable company to introduce a carrier-grade, SD-WAN platform for enterprises and multi-site businesses. It is teaming with Versa Networks, the leading provider of next-generation, software-based networking and security. Using the Versa Cloud IP Platform, Comcast is delivering a highly secure turnkey service with unprecedented levels of operational efficiencies in today’s digital era.

“Our SD-WAN solution pairs a carrier-grade, hosted SDN environment with widely available gigabit service," said Kevin O’Toole, senior vice president of Product Management for Comcast Business.  "Together, our SD-WAN and gigabit bandwidth solutions herald a new generation of networking that provides the bandwidth, scalability, reliability and flexibility needed to power the cloud applications that are transforming business operations."

Comcast Business is rolling out Business Internet 1000, a DOCSIS 3.1-based gigabit internet service, for business customers and plans to offer it throughout its service areas. The company also offers a wide range of multi-gigabit, fiber-based Ethernet services across the country. The combination of SD-WAN capabilities and these high-performance broadband and Ethernet network services creates a powerful offering for mid-market and large enterprises investing in hybrid WAN solutions.

“Given the speeds and ubiquity of today’s broadband, SD-WAN is making the internet a secure and smarter business option for growth,” said Courtney Munroe, group vice president, IDC. “Now, businesses can more cost-effectively add the bandwidth they need across branch locations to succeed in today’s fast-paced digital economy. Comcast’s SD-WAN and high-speed broadband network is an innovative trial offering that can complement any existing business network.”