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.

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."

About CenturyLink

CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) is a global communications, hosting, cloud and IT services company enabling millions of customers to transform their businesses and their lives through innovative technology solutions. CenturyLink offers network and data systems management, Big Data analytics and IT consulting, and operates more than 55 data centers in North America, Europe and Asia. The company provides broadband, voice, video, data and managed services over a robust 250,000-route-mile U.S. fiber network and a 300,000-route-mile international transport network.