MARCH 14, 2007 -- ECI Telecom Ltd. (search for ECI Telecom) has introduced what it claims to be the first access platform with virtual routing capabilities enabling Layer 3 VPN applications. The L3 VPN-like capabilities are designed to enable service providers to offer cost-effective per-service granularity to their business, residential, and wholesale customers.

Per-service segmentation enables operators to provide flexible business models and service-level agreements (SLAs) for voice, data, and video applications, ECI Telecom says. In addition, virtual routing in the access portion of the network provides opex and capex optimization by freeing expensive ports in the aggregation and edge layers, the company adds.

"By incorporating virtual routing capabilities into the Hi-FOCuS Multi-Service Access Node (MSAN) platform, ECI enables operators to go to the next level in terms of advanced, SLA-based service delivery, for both residential and enterprise customers," said Erik M. Keith, senior analyst for broadband infrastructure at Current Analysis. "With the integration of virtual routing into its Hi-FOCuS-5 solution set, ECI has added a new, unique differentiator into what is already an extremely competitive platform in the market."

With virtual routing, the Hi-FOCuS-5 MSAN integrates all major voice, data, and video network services onto a single high-bandwidth platform, over either copper or fiber technologies, according to ECI Telecom. In addition to virtual routing, the Hi-FOCuS-5 introduces enhanced IP capabilities, including improved unified network management, resiliency, security, and expanded ability to handle a greater number of subscribers, the company says.

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