VMware Inc. is pushing into the telecommunications sector with a new version of its management stack that has been adapted for the needs of large network operators. The repackaged suite includes specialized capabilities to support mobile traffic.

That kind of functionality has until not long ago only been available in dedicated appliances that tied the software to the chassis. As a result, carriers had to buy a different type of system for each capability, which was not only expensive but also left practitioners to individually manage dozens of services in the network.

The result is dropped calls, delayed text messages and widely fluctuating connectivity, a reality that VMware offers to help providers end with the newly unveiled vCloud for NFV. The bundle incorporates its network virtualization technology to decouple the management plane from the underlying infrastructure and allow operators to provision functions such as firewalls in a more efficient manner.

One of the main advantages of the solution over the countless alternatives offering similar functionality is that it integrates into VMware’s widely-used hypervisor, which means that the majority of organizations can deploy the software without replacing existing investments. That benefit is amplified severalfold for providers, which have so much hardware that a full upgrade can take years if not decades to complete.

Also included in vCloud for NFV is the virtualization giant’s software-defined storage platform, analytics toolkit and its homegrown version of OpenStack. Unlike other commercial flavors of the cloud operating system, the distribution is designed to power small-scale deployments that can allow developers become familiar with the capabilities of the project and build applications.

That’s significant because OpenStack is the go-to resource manager for virtual network architectures. VMware’s distribution, which is tightly integrated with the rest of the suite, provides a relatively convenient starting point for carriers to begin the journey towards production-scale implementation.

Layered over the top are over 40 partner-developed network services offering to spare providers the trouble of implementing their own functionality from scratch. The platform already powers Vodafone Group plc, one of the largest telcos in the world, which gives VMware a valuable proof point as it tries to bring more customers aboard.