BT has officially activated its new network-as-a-service (NaaS) platform, Global Fabric, following two months of live testing. The full launch of Global Fabric services is expected in early 2025, marking a significant leap forward for businesses aiming to streamline and secure their cloud connections.
The platform promises to make it easier for companies to connect their employees, customers, and devices to apps and services, including those powered by artificial intelligence (AI). This transformation is crucial as businesses rely on cloud technology and face increasingly complex demands brought on by AI innovations.
Enhanced connectivity with faster setup times
Global Fabric will provide businesses with scalable, secure, high-capacity connectivity that can adapt to unpredictable spikes in data traffic. These fluctuations are particularly common in AI-driven operations, where high data volume can occur without warning. The new platform will allow companies to adjust their network settings almost instantly, a sharp contrast to legacy networks where such changes can take weeks.
This improvement in speed and flexibility is seen as a game-changer, enabling businesses to respond to their digital infrastructure needs much more efficiently. “BT's Global Fabric will help customers hit the cloud running,” said Colin Bannon, Chief Technology Officer at BT Business. He added that it will offer businesses access to the world's best cloud locations for improved interconnectivity with their partners, customers, and suppliers.
Global Fabric expands reach with 45 points of presence
To ensure a wide range of connectivity options, BT has installed Global Fabric points of presence (PoPs) in over 45 major cloud data centres worldwide, with plans to increase this number to 140. These PoPs provide multiple entry points for businesses to access Global Fabric, allowing them to select locations that suit their operational needs and comply with market and regulatory requirements.
For businesses that do not yet have network connections to these cloud data centres, BT will offer new links to guarantee they are fully prepared for the service launch in 2025. This initiative aims to remove any barriers to adopting the new NaaS platform, ensuring a smooth transition for BT's customers as they embrace more advanced cloud technologies.
Global Fabric demo gives customers early access
As part of the rollout, BT is introducing a demo of Global Fabric's digital management portal. Available in November 2024, this demo will allow customers' IT teams to familiarise themselves with how the platform works. They will be able to experiment with setting up and optimising multi-cloud network configurations, which is essential for streamlining operations across different cloud environments.
Moreover, the platform will support application programmable interfaces (APIs), enabling businesses to integrate Global Fabric connectivity with other digital platforms and applications. This capability is expected to drive further innovation and growth for companies by simplifying how they manage their network infrastructure and optimising cloud usage.
The new features position Global Fabric as a critical tool for businesses looking to stay competitive in a fast-evolving digital landscape. By offering flexible, AI-ready solutions, BT is aiming to meet the growing needs of companies operating in increasingly data-driven industries.
“With the achievement of our latest Global Fabric delivery milestones, we take another step closer to a new age of AI-ready, digital interconnectivity,” said Bannon, underlining BT's commitment to providing future-proof cloud connectivity solutions.
