Telstra is simplifying its mobile network by deploying the world's first Mobile Softswitch Solution based on blade technology.
It is a move that will reduce the energy use of the softswitch by up to 60 per cent per subscriber.
Telstra started this transformation in 2007 when it became the first operator in the world to implement a common GSM-WCDMA Mobile Switching Center-Server (MSC-S) pool network, which is now in full commercial service.
Commercial implementation of the next-generation Mobile Softswitch Solution using the new MSC-S Blade Cluster began this week.
This innovative technology provides ultra-high capacity, supporting up to eight million subscribers with only two cabinets.
The footprint can be as little as 10 per cent of that for existing servers, reducing energy consumption.
Telstra's director of wireless, Mike Wright, said completion of the world's first MSC-S pool architecture for a common GSM-WCDMA mobile core network means a more flexible and robust network for Telstra's mobile customers.
"The MSC Server has a crucial function in delivering wireless services to customers so, by bringing together our 2G and 3G mobile cores, Telstra has achieved the key goal of providing an even more reliable customer experience," he said.
"At the same time we have made inroads with our transformation goals of reduced complexity and operating costs through network simplification."
Telstra will be the first operator to implement the innovative MSC-S Blade Cluster commercially.
"With this technology, we will be able to provide an improved service level to our customers and dramatically reduce our costs at the same time," he added.
Magnus Furustam, vice president of product area core and IMS at Ericsson said MSC pool is a key part of the transformation underway at Telstra to provide a world-leading 3G mobile broadband network for the Australian public.
"Telstra is the ideal customer for the first commercial implementation of this product," Furustam said.
"The combination of one of the world's most advanced WCDMA 850 networks and highly skilled Telstra engineers means that Telstra is well placed to take early advantage of this new generation of technology."
With the MSC Server Blade Cluster deployed in a pooled network, Telstra will be able to reduce the number of MSC nodes in its network by 75 per cent while dramatically cutting the time needed to deploy additional capacity and functionality flexibly when traffic increases.
Ericsson operates in 175 countries and has more than 70,000 employees.