JANUARY 31, 2007 -- BT Plc has selected Juniper Networks Inc. (search for Juniper Networks) to provide routers and security platforms for the UK's Defence Fixed Telecommunications Service (DFTS) project.
DFTS is delivered by BT in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Defence Communications Service Agency (DCSA). Connecting over 240,000 users at over 1,500 sites across the UK and overseas, DFTS has consolidated all existing defense networks to deliver unified voice, data, LAN interconnectivity, and WAN services for the Royal Navy, British Army, the Royal Air Force, and MoD Centre. The new network is now live, with the first services being delivered in September 2006.
To ensure BT could continue to meet MoD requirements for network flexibility, security, and operational efficiency, the company re-evaluated its vendor partners for the project as part of a recent contract extension negotiation. BT chose Juniper Networks to replace its existing routing and security partner when it became clear only Juniper Networks was able to meet the stringent reliability, interoperability, resiliency, and efficiency guidelines mandated by the MoD, Juniper claims.
"The performance and reliability targets for the revised contract were ambitious, and given the mission-critical nature of defense there is no room for compromise -- this is why we chose to work with Juniper Networks," said Tony Reeve, DFTS programme director, BT Global Services. "Juniper has proven it can provide highly resilient, secure, and reliable networks for some of the world's largest and most sensitive organizations. And now the project is live it has proved that it can deliver these same results for the MoD."
The MoD has transferred traffic to the new network based on Juniper routers, including M-series multiservice routing platforms and J-series service routers. BT has also deployed NetScreen-5200 high-performance integrated firewall/IPSec VPN security systems to provide network protection and defense.
The M-series platforms provides the DFTS network with advanced IP/MPLS edge routing, enabling future multiple services -- including VPNs, network-based security, real-time voice and video, bandwidth-on-demand, rich multicast, and IPv6 services -- to be delivered over the single network, greatly reducing operational and capital costs. The supporting J-series service routers deliver reliable data connectivity to remote and branch offices, and are ready for the rollout of VoIP services as required, Juniper says. Both the M- and J-series routers run Juniper Networks JUNOS software to ensure consistent performance at all network locations regardless of customer connection, as well as enhanced security and service uptime.
"Juniper's technology already plays an integral role in numerous military and homeland security networks around the world," said Gert-Jan Schenk, vice president of operations, EMEA, Juniper Networks. "To be selected by BT for this deployment is gratifying, and we are enjoying working with BT to ensure the British military is equipped with best-in-class communication services going forward."
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