OREANDA-NEWS. CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) today announced it has acquired certain strategic assets of the company formerly known as Active Broadband Networks, a provider in software-based broadband networking. These assets will help accelerate CenturyLink's efforts to automate its network, move network functions into the cloud and deliver software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) services to its customers.

CenturyLink logo.

The company formerly known as Active Broadband Networks, based in Framingham, Mass., uses SDN and NFV technologies to provide broadband edge solutions to service providers, enabling them to deliver a next-generation cloud-based service infrastructure. CenturyLink's acquisition of the company's edge platform assets strengthens CenturyLink's ability to virtualize core network functions.

"This acquisition provides us with people and technology resources that will help us continue to develop and implement our platform strategy and integrate SDN and NFV technology into our network," said Aamir Hussain, CenturyLink's executive vice president and chief technology officer. "Moving services into the cloud, particularly at the network edge, is essential as we continue to focus on providing our customers with a wide variety of virtualized network functions that help them more effectively manage their business."

CenturyLink announced its network virtualization strategy in October 2015 and is currently building an end-to-end network platform with SDN and NFV capabilities to deliver a self-service application with on-demand services, creating an enhanced customer experience.