Sonera to deploy Ericsson's IP backbone for next generation Internet

Sonera to deploy Ericsson's IP backbone for next generation Internet Today, Ericsson and Sonera Carrier Networks in Finland, announced they have signed a contract for Ericsson to supply increased IP backbone capacity to Sonera. Sonera will deploy Ericsson's Packet Backbone Network (PBN), including their AXI 580 IP Backbone Routers. This agreement builds on recent contracts announced in June for Ericsson to provide Sonera with their PBN platforms, including AXI 520 IP Backbone Routers and an optical trunk DWDM networking solution in central Europe via Denmark, Sweden and Finland from where Sonera's network continues on to Moscow. "We chose Ericsson for our IP-optimized core network because of its ability to provide solutions with carrier-class quality, superior performance and advanced QoS features," said Mikko Jokinen, technology director of Sonera Carrier Networks. "These are key factors, critical to helping us meet the current and future demands of rapid IP traffic growth and in creating new services and testing new ideas." Ericsson's large-scale AXI 580 IP backbone routers and services will allow Sonera Carrier Networks to significantly increase the bandwidth of their network and to provide IP backbone capacity and transport services to its carrier customers. By deploying Ericsson's PBN solutions, Sonera is prepared for the continued rapid growth of Internet traffic, which will be increasingly driven by the demand for mobile Internet services. "Ericsson's Packet Backbone Network and ERION@ DWDM optical solutions together will form an important portion of the core of Sonera's next generation network architecture," said Mike Thurk, executive vice president of Ericsson's Data Backbone and Optical Networks division. "In addition to supporting Sonera's service operator business, our solutions will help to differentiate Sonera's new carrier network business. The partnership with Sonera demonstrates that Ericsson is committed to enabling the emerging carriers' carrier market with solutions and services integration designed for their needs." Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world. Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Paula Angel-Jones, Director of Public Relations Ericsson Data Backbone and Optical Networks division Phone: +1 781 505 6222; E-mail: paula.angel-jones@ericsson.com Tarja Virolainen, Information Officer, Ericsson Finland Phone: +358 9 299 2097; E-mail: tarja.virolainen@ericsson.fi Jaakko Nevanlinna, President, Sonera Carrier Networks Ltd. Phone: +358 2040 60662; E-mail: jaakko.nevanlinna@sonera.com About Sonera Carrier Networks Ltd. Sonera Carrier Networks Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sonera Corporation, an international forerunner in mobile communications as well as mobile and Internet based services and applications (www.sonera.com). Sonera Carrier Networks Ltd. is responsible for the operation of Sonera's entire backbone network. It is the largest and most international network operator in Finland. Carrier Networks' market area also covers northwestern Russia, northern and central Europe and the east coast of Northern America. About Ericsson's Packet Backbone Network Ericsson's Packet Backbone Network (PBN) is an Internet-class, carrier- class data backbone and a key component to both wireless and wireline operators' transitions to next generation networks. PBN enables operators to offer new or expanded services over an IP infrastructure in an extremely reliable and ultra-scalable configuration. PBN is based on the following hardware platforms from Ericsson: the AXI 580 and AXI 520 IP backbone routers, AXI 540 Edge Aggregation Router and AXD 301 High- Performance ATM Switch. PBN includes a Multiservice Management Suite (MMS) of products that includes in-house developed tools optimized for next generation networks and tools from best-in-class partners to address management issues in four key areas: network provisioning, service provisioning, service and network assurance, customer care and billing. PBN also employs Ericsson's innovative range of robust DWDM optical networking products: ERIcsson Optical Networking (ERION). For more information on Ericsson's Packet Backbone Network, see: http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom/20000505-0011.html ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/10/10/20001010BIT00030/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/10/10/20001010BIT00030/bit0002.pdf