Network virtualization is a lot less real than it appears. Rather like 5G, it seems to be making extremely rapid progress (by telco standards). Almost every week, more operators announce projects and trials. But in most cases, these are just that – trials. Even in areas like virtualized CPE and evolved packet core (EPC), where virtualization is being applied first, only a few operators so far have allowed a software-based platform anywhere near their core networks and customers. The mighty NTT Docomo, which has implemented the first multivendor NFV-enabled packet core, is using it to back up the traditional EPC during traffic spikes. Many other early adopters are deploying vEPCs to support a new and discrete activity like a machine-to-machine…