One of the key drivers for many operators to virtualize their networks is to break out of vendor lock-ins and assemble an open supplier ecosystem. However, supporting virtual network functions (VNFs) from multiple vendors can be as challenging as it was in the physical network, even if the point of lock-in has moved from the equipment itself to the APIs and orchestrators that will enable VNFs to work together. However, a few operators are really driving progress in this area, and the latest is Deutsche Telekom. The German operator has worked with HPE to deploy the first proof of concept (PoC) of a network data layer (NDL), which can integrate VNFs from different vendors on the same cloud infrastructure. This…