Mardi Balgochian Scalise, Lightwave Web Editor
Unisphere Networks, Inc., a provider of IP infrastructure products to enable broadband data and voice services, announced that Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) has selected its ERX-1400 Edge Router to implement IP multicast and edge aggregation functions for CHT's new "Movies-on-Demand" (MoD) network in Taiwan. Unisphere Networks' ERX-1400 was selected because of its ASIC enabled wire-speed performance on all of its edge functions, including IP multicasting.
Unisphere Networks' ERX technology will enable CHT to scale its MoD network by supporting up to 6,000 IP multicast destinations per ERX Edge Router. CHT will now offer subscribers advanced services, including bandwidth and MoD along with Service Level Agreements (SLAs), to ensure appropriate levels of service are maintained. CHT intends to support each subscriber using both IP multicast and IP unicast to provide popular pay services, such as Live-TV, Video-on-Demand and Karaoke-on-Demand services.
Unisphere Networks' ERX Edge Router delivers the next-generation IP infrastructure that enables service providers to deploy high-speed Internet connections and value-added IP services to both businesses and consumers. The ERX product family provides wire-speed performance, sophisticated routing capabilities, carrier-class reliability and high capacity port density. The ERX also enables a number of new revenue-generating service policies such as IP QoS, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and SLAs.
Unisphere Networks' ERX family includes three models: the high capacity ERX-1440 and ERX-1400 and the mid-range ERX-700. The ERX-1440 is a 40 Gigabit, IP edge router that offers service providers integrated IP routing, subscriber management and IP services/service creation capabilities at wire-speed. The ERX-1400 provides scalable capacity for tens of thousands of users, making it ideal for service providers that operate high capacity points-of-presence (PoPs). Its modular, 14-slot chassis features a wide range of interface options, including T1/E1, T3/E3, channelized and unchannelized OC3/STM-1, OC12/STM-4 and Fast/Gigabit Ethernet. The ERX-700, designed for applications that require mid-range capacity, has the same features and performance of the ERX-1400 in a more economical 7-slot package.
This contract comes a short time after other contract wins for the ERX products, typically the ERX-1400. In late August, Unisphere announced that Guangdong Telecom selected Unisphere Networks' ERX-1400 Edge Router for the ability to expand its existing residential and commercial broadband network, ultimately forming one of the largest Broadband IP networks in China.
For the Guangdong Telecom deal, installation of the ERX-1400s occurred during August 2001 in the 12 major cities of Guangdong Province, including Guangzhou, the provincial capital. The ERX 1400s will also be deployed in Shenzhen and Zhuhai, two of China's leading Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
Other carriers employing the ERX-1400 Edge Router included Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel), which, in June, selected Siemens Advanced Engineering Pte Ltd. to provide Unisphere Networks' ERX-1400 Edge Router with Subscriber Access Feature Pack. As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance its Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) platform, SingTel will deploy the ERX to offer additional value-added capabilities to its customers, such as the recently announced iTV service.
Also in June, Layer 2 Communications (Layer 2), an international bandwidth and IP services provider, selected Unisphere Networks' ERX-1400 Edge Router for its IP services roll-out. The ERX-1400 was chosen for its ASIC-based architecture that enables wire-speed performance of IP routing and services.
About Chunghwa Telecom:
Chunghwa Telecom operates both domestic and international telecom businesses. For more information, visit www.cht.com.tw/english/index.htm.
About Unisphere Networks:
Unisphere Networks, Inc. provides data and voice platforms for service providers. Unisphere Networks' edge router, service mediation switch and network and service management solutions help service providers create and deliver innovative IP solutions. For more information, visit www.unispherenetworks.com.