Openreach turns to Ciena for packet networking gear

Openreach, BT’s local access network business, will deploy packet networking equipment from Ciena Corp. (NYSE: CIEN) to support expansion of the service provider's Ethernet Access Direct (EAD) offerings.

In addition to overseeing BT's "superfast" broadband deployment and services to residential customers, Openreach also offers competitive communication providers equal access to BT's copper and fiber-optic network infrastructure. To accommodate the increasing demands placed on its EAD services, Openreach seeks to upgrade its point-to-point Ethernet offerings to enable support of such services as bandwidth on-demand, cloud computing, and high-bandwidth applications, including video, CRM platforms and real-time data backup.

"We have been providing our Ethernet Access Direct products to the UK communications industry since 2009. During this time, market demand for secure, dedicated business connectivity has grown exponentially – literally underpinning the bread and butter of businesses right across the UK," explained Jon Hurry, managing director, strategy, commercial, portfolio & policy at Openreach. "Maintaining a robust supply chain against this backdrop is of paramount importance to us and our customers. Choosing Ciena as our new dual NTE vendor will provide assurance of continuous supply while also maximizing opportunities to further develop the capabilities we offer."

Ciena will supply elements of its E-suite family of packet switch modules, which includes the 3916 and 3930 Service Delivery Switches and 5142, 5150, and 5160 Service Aggregation Switches. The suite combines intelligent devices and software to create the necessary infrastructure for Openreach to deploy low-touch, high-velocity Ethernet services supported with stringent service level agreements (SLAs), Ciena asserts. Openreach will also leverage Ciena’s OAM software, including its Service-Aware Operating System (SAOS) and OneControl Unified Management System, to enable low-touch service provisioning.

"Openreach is delivering on its promise to provide flexible and robust Ethernet services in the UK," said François Locoh-Donou, senior vice president, global products group at Ciena. "By deploying a simplified, on-demand infrastructure with our packet networking and software solutions, Openreach is ensuring its communication provider customers have access to the support and services they need to be competitive."

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