Broadcom unveils VMware Telco Cloud Platform 9

VMware Telco Cloud Platform 9 (TCP 9) is built on VMware Cloud Foundation 9 (VCF 9) and includes telco-specific capabilities. It provides a unified infrastructure foundation for telcos looking to deliver sovereign and AI services. Broadcom is aiming for this platform to support both 4G and 5G core network functions alongside data-intensive AI workloads. TCP 9 targets a 40% reduction in total cost of ownership (TCO) over five years compared to siloed architectures. This is achieved through greater hardware efficiency using NVMe memory tiering and vSAN ESA global deduplication. Broadcom also projects a 25-30% decrease in power consumption via improved server performance and VM density. The platform is designed to provide architectural guardrails that ensure cloud infrastructure complies with data sovereignty requirements. This includes features for local control, verification, and in-border operations, allowing telcos to retain control over encryption keys. These features are designed to help customers ensure that their cloud infrastructure remains compliant with applicable sovereign cloud requirements. Broadcom's acquisition of VMware has led to significant changes in VMware's licensing and pricing. Perpetual licenses have been discontinued in favor of a subscription-based model. Some customers have reported substantial cost increases, leading many to explore alternative virtualization strategies.