“We are committed to supporting all ecosystem players”: Interview with VIAVI Solutions’ Monojit Samaddar

Today’s increasingly complex network environments require simplified testing solutions. To this end, VIAVI Solutions has been helping customers scale up network deployments and maintain performance by offering cutting-edge solutions that cater to modern networks. In an interview with tele.net, Monojit Samaddar, country director, VIAVI Solutions, India, talks about the company’s key offerings, role of AI in network optimisation and future growth strategies…

How is VIAVI simplifying testing amidst the growing complexity of networks?

As networks become more layered, disaggregated and complex, there is a critical need for businesses to effectively manage and optimise the performance of their networks. VIAVI Solutions empowers network operators, equipment manufacturers, enterprises, governments, aerospace and railways with intuitive instruments, intelligence and insights. The company is committed to supporting all ecosystem players in their efforts to develop more robust and flexible network infrastructures that meet the current and future demands of the digital economy.

Digital transformation has set the industry on a journey to realise a new operational model that leverages AI, machine learning (ML), and network orchestration and automation. To address the challenges of maximising development, productivity and speed-to-market, VIAVI offers the most comprehensive portfolio of end-to-end test and assurance solutions for lab validation, network implementation and optimisation across 5G, fibre and cloud.

The VIAVI NITRO Wireless test suite offers products, solutions and services to enable all participants in the ecosystem – network equipment manufacturers (NEMs), communications service providers (CSPs), semiconductor companies, software developers and system integrators – to accelerate technology development by validating performance at each stage in intelligent, intuitive and automated ways. NITRO Wireless brings together proven performance and interoperability test platforms used throughout the industry for 3GPP and O-RAN with cloud, intelligence, automation and digital twin technology.

How is AI enabling the optimisation of networks and services? What are the upcoming advances in the 6G and AI space?

AI is enabling the automation, orchestration and optimisation of networks and services. In the evolving telecommunications landscape, AI’s predictive and generative powers enable users across the network ecosystem to streamline operations, enhance network security, reduce costs, minimise service issues and improve the delivery of services to end customers.

VIAVI is committed to enhancing network performance, security and efficiency by integrating AI into its solutions. VIAVI’s AI-powered “Digital Twin” technology enables new predictive capabilities that help fortify networks. By creating a virtual model of a network in the lab, service providers can manage network behaviours and disruptions more quickly and effectively. These digital twins play a pivotal role in advancing network design, reliability and performance. VIAVI’s AI models help operators understand potential outcomes and equip them to optimise the network and respond to different scenarios.

“VIAVI offers the most comprehensive portfolio of end-to-end test and assurance solutions for lab validation, network implementation and optimisation across 5G, fibre and cloud.”

The VIAVI NITRO AIOps platform further revolutionises network performance monitoring and troubleshooting by offering real-time insights and predictive intelligence for optimising cloud-based telecommunications networks. The solution offers true end-to-end and vendor-agnostic topology, cloud-native inventory, AI-driven assurance, workflow automation and more, empowering service providers to evolve their legacy network operations centre and achieve end-to-end network visibility across multiple technology domains.

Accelerating the research and development (R&D) of AI-driven solutions for future generations of wireless communication, VIAVI is working on several projects driving 6G and advancing wireless technology through its 6G Forward Program. The programme is accelerating technology evolution through a combination of proprietary research within the VIAVI Marconi Labs, which specialises in wireless technology research, innovation and testing, and supports academic labs around the globe.

VIAVI’s research collaborations with the Institute for Wireless Internet of Things and the Open6G cooperative research centre at Northeastern University have resulted in the creation of a 6G city-scale digital twin. Powered by advanced AI and ML technologies, the digital twin plays a crucial role in training components like the 6G AI-Native Air Interface, enhancing our understanding of network dynamics and performance.

VIAVI is involved in various R&D projects, underscoring its dedication to 6G advancement. It has collaborated with organisations such as the O-RAN ALLIANCE, one6G, 5G/6G Innovation Centre, leading educational institutions and the DSIT ONE research project, which received a significant research grant from the UK government.

The data centre landscape is becoming increasingly complex, dense and expansive with the rise of hyperscalers. How is VIAVI addressing the hyperscale ecosystem?

The complexity of hyperscale architecture makes testing essential during the network construction, expansion and monitoring phases. Data centre monitoring and orchestration tools are now increasingly agile, automated and virtual to support the evolving needs of data centre infrastructure.

With an unmatched breadth and depth of test products and expertise, VIAVI ensures levels of service and reliability that meet the high standards of hyperscale data centre operators and service providers. Leveraging decades of experience and collaboration, VIAVI test solutions optimise optical hardware, fibre and network performance over the life cycle of the hyperscale data centre, from lab to turn-up to monitoring. VIAVI provides the multi-dimensional visibility, intelligence and insight needed to efficiently manage physical and virtual environments, profitably deliver optimum service levels, transition to new technologies and launch innovative services.

What role does fibre testing play in helping customers scale and maintain the performance of critical fibre infrastructure?

Fibre testing involves a range of procedures, tools and benchmarks employed to assess fibre optic components, links and networks in operation. It encompasses both optical and mechanical evaluations of individual elements, as well as thorough transmission tests conducted to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of entire fibre network set-ups. Efficient testing processes across the network life cycle save time and cost in the long run, while ensuring better network quality and service for the end customer.

VIAVI’s fibre testing portfolio encompasses a full range of essential instruments, systems and software, required to address today’s rapidly growing technological and functional needs. It provides end-to-end support for the construction, activation, monitoring and maintenance of fibre optic services. VIAVI has equipped wireline and wireless service providers, equipment manufacturers, system integrators and contractors to meet the work speed and test coverage requirements for telecommunication network buildouts and maintenance.

What are VIAVI’s future growth strategies?

Telecommunications is a major focus area, encompassing technology development in the lab and in the field, network product integration and subsequent optimisation and monetisation. While we serve a remarkably diverse range of industries, certain sectors stand out due to their critical role in the evolving technology landscape. We are actively engaging in aerospace and defence networks, satellite communications, AI, cybersecurity, data centres and enterprise solutions.

Testing needs are advancing rapidly as ORAN enters the mainstream of network infrastructure, and the industry incorporates non-terrestrial networks to augment coverage in mobile communications. To address the challenges of maximising development, productivity and speed to market, VIAVI is working closely with NEMs and service providers to help them streamline the complex process of validating new technologies in both lab and field environments, ensuring efficient deployment and activation of new technologies.