Toward future networks: A viewpoint from ITU-T

There have been continuous efforts and progress regarding the research and development of future network technologies in recent years, such as network virtualization and software defined networking, information centric networking (ICN), cloud networking, autonomic management, and open connectivity. ITU-T started working on the standardization of FNs in late 2009, and it has developed some initial Recommendations that lay out the essential directions for subsequent detailed work. This article presents the background and the context of FNs' standardization, and the deliverables and future plans originated from the initial standardization work performed by ITU-T.