tw telecom expands IP VPN service portfolio globally

LITTLETON, USA: tw telecom, a leading national provider of managed voice, Internet and data networking solutions for businesses, announced the expansion of its MPLS IP VPN service portfolio into 64 countries around the globe.

This added capability enables the company to connect a customer's voice, Internet and data traffic seamlessly, reliably and securely across town, across the country and now to international destinations.

"The global expansion of our MPLS IP VPN service portfolio extends our network reach to serve the international needs of our customers," said John Blount, tw telecom's Chief Operating Officer.

"These customers depend on the high-quality level of service we deliver over our robust metro fiber networks and national IP backbone to connect their buildings and data centers. Customers with sites outside the United States have told us that they'd also like us to deliver and manage their IP VPN networks end-to-end in those locations as well. Our extended reach internationally enables us to support their global networking demands."

tw telecom's MPLS IP VPN service suite is capable of supporting a wide range of enterprise networking applications -- from simple site-to-site network connectivity to robust Telepresence video conferencing needs.

tw telecom offers five classes of services so customers are able to manage and prioritize their voice, video, enterprise applications, storage and Internet access across tw telecom's network to optimize the performance across the enterprise.

"Our strategy continues to focus on high quality network partners -- each with a unique focus and expertise in a geographic region -- to complement the strength of our MPLS IP VPN services in the United States," Blount said.

"Through these partners, we are able to improve the overall value and service for our customers and better manage their connectivity, while building out industry-leading, high-performance networks for them to run their mission critical applications. We're excited about the expanded market opportunity that is now open to us with this global reach."

NTT selects Alcatel-Lucent for Japan's first IPv6-compatible MPLS IP-VPN service

PARIS, FRANCE: Alcatel-Lucent announced that NTT Communications Corp. (NTT Com) has deployed Alcatel-Lucent's service router solution as the base for its IP-VPN service, which now supports both IPv4 and next generation IPv6 protocols (IPv4/IPv6 dual stack) for enterprise users.

IPv4/IPv6 dual stack provides both IPv4 and IPv6 connectivity using only one subscriber line seamlessly integrated with physically independent networks.

Offered as an option for its Arcstar IP-VPN service, this is the country's first commercial IPv6 compatible IP-VPN service based on Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS).

The Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Router (SR) was first deployed in 2007 to support NTT Com's IP-VPN IPv4-based service, where its reliability and flexibility were put to the test by the high demands of NTT Com's enterprise customers.

Now, with IPv4 addresses approaching exhaustion, NTT Com again chose Alcatel-Lucent to upgrade its network to allow both IPv4 and IPv6 traffic to be used on a single network, offering a smooth, relatively low-cost IPv6 migration for its enterprise customers.

"This represents a key milestone in the Japanese market with NTT Com launching its IPv4/IPv6 dual stack service," said Martin Jordy, president of Alcatel-Lucent's Japan activities. "With our market-leading service router solution, we will continue to help NTT Com and its enterprise customers take advantage of the efficient and reliable advanced network services offered with this next generation Internet protocol."

Over 270 service providers in more than 100 countries around the world have selected the Alcatel-Lucent IP/MPLS portfolio as key elements of their IP transformation. According to Ovum RHK, Alcatel-Lucent holds the #2 position in the IP/MPLS Edge market segment.