Juniper Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: JNPR), a provider of next-generation Internet Protocol (IP) infrastructure, announced that DIRECTV Broadband, Inc. is deploying Juniper Networks M-series Internet backbone routers throughout its North American access network. DIRECTV Broadband, a nationwide provider of integrated broadband services to the residential market, is a subsidiary of the Hughes Electronics Corporation (NYSE: GMH).
With this network upgrade, DIRECTV Broadband's subscribers gain quality of service, performance and reliability for high-speed residential subscribers' access to Internet and residential broadband services. DIRECTV Broadband can lower the cost of network operations through the scalability inherent in Juniper Networks M-series routers. This scalability gives DIRECTV Broadband the flexibility to offer reliable network speeds up to OC-192c/STM-64 (10 Gigabits per second) to meet users' changing bandwidth requirements for data or video transmissions, without requiring hardware reconfiguration. This same network offers future value-added services, such as voice over IP and video on demand.
DIRECTV Broadband is using numerous M160 Internet backbone routers to create a high-speed IP backbone at more than a dozen points of presence (POPs) throughout the United States. Additionally, the access portion of the network is leveraging JUNOS Internet software and Internet Processor II application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) packet processing intelligence in several M5 Internet backbone routers. These M5 routers act as peers throughout the DIRECTV Broadband network to enable traffic exchange with other Internet service providers (ISPs) in regional markets. The migration project is being handled by the Juniper Networks Professional Services organization, whose expertise in migrating multivendor, multiservice networks is being applied to ensure a fast and seamless deployment with minimal risk to DIRECTV Broadband's services.
DIRECTV Broadband's residential broadband services, including Connect & Protect home networking capabilities, are enabled remotely by DIRECTV Broadband's backbone. Juniper Networks M-series routers will help DIRECTV Broadband maximize their value-added services business opportunity by providing a proven, high-performance platform to support subscribers' Internet needs.
By enhancing the backbone network's speed and providing new scalability to support up to OC-192c/STM-64 speeds, DIRECTV Broadband can rapidly launch new value-added services, such as video and voice, in the future. The M-series routers use a powerful combination of Internet Processor II ASIC silicon, robust hardware system design, and purpose-built JUNOS software to give DIRECTV Broadband the flexibility to quickly and easily turn on new services for their subscriber base. The company will incorporate Juniper Networks class-of-service capabilities across the network to separate different types of premium traffic, such as voice and video, for priority delivery to subscribers.
Juniper Networks, Inc. also announced that RedIRIS has selected Juniper Networks M-series routers for the deployment of the first phase of a high-speed, ultra-reliable multiservice IP network. RedIRIS is the National Academic and Research Network for more than 250 research and education facilities in Spain.
Overseen by the Ministry of Science and Technology, RedIRIS provides IP services over a national network infrastructure to more than one million people in 40 cities that are connected to the high-speed IP network. These locations primarily host universities and research and development centers, and additionally host hospitals and other public organizations.
The initial phase of the rollout includes deployment of Juniper Networks M20 and M40 Internet backbone routers in eight cities throughout Spain. The major areas will be connected with OC-48c/STM-16 links. RedIRIS also plans to provide a robust multiservice network using the newly enhanced Internet backbone, deploying IP multicasting and DiffServ class of service to deliver premium services. Juniper Networks worked closely with its European partner Telindus, which is responsible for the supply, installation and support of the routing systems.
To ensure high-capacity and advanced IP services at a Pan-European level, several initiatives are underway at RedIRIS. One particular initiative is a partnership with DANTE, a provider of high-quality IP network services to the European Research and Education community, which is also a customer of Juniper Networks. RedIRIS will be connected to the Dante/GEANT backbone at 2.5 Gbps (OC-48c/STM-16) in October 2001.
About DIRECTV Broadband, Inc.:
DIRECTV Broadband, Inc. provides broadband services for the home and the DIRECTV DSL service. For more information, visit www.DIRECTVDSL.com.
About RedIRIS:
RedIRIS is the Spanish National Academic and Research Network, funded by the National Plan for R&D and managed at present by the Scientific Research Council (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas). Since 1988, RedIRIS has provided network infrastructure to Spanish R&D institutions. For more information, visit www.rediris.es.
About Juniper Networks, Inc.:
Juniper Networks, Inc. is a provider of purpose-built systems that meet the scalability, performance, density, and compatibility requirements of rapidly evolving, optically enabled IP networks. For more information, visit www.juniper.net.