How component vendors can earn RBOC IP business

27 January 2003 -- Yankee Group, Boston, MA, US, has developed a "detailed timeline" of the USA's Regional Bell Operating Companies' IP network deployments in its recent report Vendors Vie for Coveted RBOC IP
Business.

Yankee says that as the RBOcs implement their plans for IP network deployment they could be instilling hope in the vendor community for a recovery in the equipment sector. RBOCs are working to meet the requirements of Section 271 (c) (2) (B) of the US's Telecommunications Act of 1996.

The Yankee report includes a survey that details the RBOCs' thought processes related to strategic network elements, critical areas of standards development, and formidable challenges to IP network planning and expansion. The report concludes with an analysis of vendor positioning and recommendations to both vendors and RBOCs.

"The most important elements to winning RBOC IP business include solving OSS integration problems, ensuring interoperability, and providing a scalable, reliable MPLS implementation," says Mark Bieberich, Yankee Group Communications Network Infrastructure senior analyst.

"Although Cisco and Juniper will undoubtedly win their share of this opportunity, several other vendors - incumbents and start-ups alike - continue to impress RBOC decision makers. A select few will certainly enjoy the fruits of increased capital expenditures for IP networking equipment."

The report also analyzes 12 key vendors contending for RBOC IP business, and addresses the impact the regulatory climate will have on RBOC IP capital expenditures. The report is available today to clients of the Yankee Group's Communications Network Infrastructure research and consulting practice.