9 DECEMBER 2008 -- In a five-year deal, BT Group plc (search for BT) has selected Tellabs (search for Tellabs) to provide equipment for part of its Ethernet-based mobile backhaul service. BT Wholesale provides Managed Ethernet Access services for mobile operators who use BT's 21st Century Network-based service.
"Our customers demand a comprehensive solution, which is both scalable and flexible in delivering their 2G, 3G voice and data services," said George Nazi, managing director of BT's 21CN programme. "We chose the Tellabs solution because it brings manageability, flexibility, and scalability in meeting these demands."
"Managed Ethernet Access for Mobile Operators enables mobile operators to cope with the rapid growth in high-speed mobile data," said Nazi. "Tellabs demonstrated the solution and capability to deliver synchronised timing capability on its terminating equipment."
Under the frame contract Tellabs will deliver its mobile backhaul offering, including the Tellabs 8600 managed edge system, and consulting and support services.
BT is preparing itself for its customers' migration from traditional E1 leased lines to higher-capacity, more cost-effective Ethernet-based base station connectivity. The deal with Tellabs will enable BT to meet its customers' needs for managing data traffic growth in the network cost-efficiently, the systems vendor asserts.
The Tellabs 8600 system will enable BT to roll out its Managed Ethernet Access Service end-to-end, Tellabs added. The infrastructure enables BT's customers to converge all their 2G and 3G traffic across the Ethernet infrastructure.
The Tellabs 8660 access switch will be deployed at the mobile aggregation sites, while the Tellabs 8605 access switch will be located at the mobile cell-sites.
Tellabs' Professional Services division is providing consultancy and network design services, complementing BT's capabilities. The network will be managed by the Tellabs 8000 network management system to ensure a smooth transition from today's TDM and ATM infrastructure to an all-IP network, in line with BT's 21CN vision.
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