Kuwaiti-Based QualityNet Selects Newbridge Broadband
Multiservice Platform for Nationwide Communications
Network
KANATA, ONTARIO--Network Delivers High Speed LAN Interconnection
and Premium Quality Internet Protocol Services
Newbridge Networks (NYSE: NN; TSE: NNC) today announced that it
has been awarded a contract by Kuwaiti-based QualityNet to install
a nationwide asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) backbone network.
QualityNet's network, the first broadband network to be installed
in Kuwait, extends and enhances the company's existing frame relay
network, enabling it to deliver a wide range of premium quality,
next generation services to its customers.
The network is built on the MainStreetXpress(tm) 36170
MultiServices Switch, the industry's largest selling ATM switch.
It enables QualityNet to extend its current offerings to include a
wide array of new, innovative services such as local area network
(LAN) interconnect and Internet protocol (IP) services.
QualityNet's future expansion plans include native cell relay and
diverse multimedia services over the ATM core.
Newbridge is also providing complete end-to-end network and
service management through the MainStreetXpress(tm) 46020 Network
Manager. This powerful networking solution is ideal for delivering
a wide range of fully managed services across a single, unifying
ATM infrastructure. Newbridge(r) Affiliate, CrossKeys' products -
KeyBill(tm) and KeyInfo(tm) - will be used to gather billing
statistics and for network and capacity planning respectively.
"Newbridge is a recognised ATM leader and we selected the
Newbridge solution based upon its robustness, reliability and
scalability. Newbridge is able to deliver and install our
broadband multiservice network in an extremely short timeframe,
which was a key factor in our decision to select the Company,"
said Andy Gent, managing director, QualityNet. "Our investment in
this flexible multiservice infrastructure is a logical choice as
it seamlessly integrates with our existing network. The network
will ensure compatibility with future technologies and will enable
us to cost-effectively deliver high quality frame relay, IP and
ATM services to our existing and future customers for many years
to come."
"The award of the QualityNet contract clearly demonstrates how
successful Newbridge has been in the service provider industry
within this region. To date, we have been awarded significant
contracts in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait and
Qatar," said Chris Moore, director for the Middle East, Newbridge
Networks. "The Newbridge solution's unmatched network and service
management capabilities were a key factor in QualityNet's decision
to select Newbridge."
The MainStreetXpress 46020 Network Manager permits network and
service management across multiple technologies and services,
including Internet protocol (IP), ATM, frame relay and time
division multiplexing (TDM). It also enables service providers to
evolve their networks to meet the needs of their customers. This
allows them to quickly add new service offerings, without
increasing the overhead associated with introducing new management
systems and staff retraining. This results in lower overall
operating costs, reduced provisioning times and greater efficiency
in the use of the network infrastructure. The MainStreetXpress
46020 Network Manager can manage up to 5,000 nodes and 250,000
paths from a single management platform. It also enables up to 255
simultaneous operator sessions and more than 1,000 network
partitions.
QualityNet is Kuwait's leading Internet service provider and
offers the country's largest data communications network,
providing a comprehensive range of Internet and data solutions to
businesses and consumers nationwide. Services include Internet
access, web site hosting and
high-speed national and international data connectivity.
QualityNet was launched on September 30, 1998, and is owned by Ali
Al-Ghanim & Sons Group, one of Kuwait's leading conglomerates, 10%
by the National Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait's largest bank, and 44%
Batelco, Bahrain's national telecommunications carrier and one of
the Gulf's most efficient and successful operators.
Newbridge Networks designs, manufactures, markets and services
wide area networking solutions for Internet service providers;
local, long-distance, and wireless communications companies; cable
television carriers; and corporate customers in more than 100
countries. The Company leverages its relationship with a growing
family of Newbridge Affiliate companies and strategic alliances
with numerous other networking companies to deliver complete,
end-to-end solutions. Newbridge customers include the world's 350
largest telecommunications service providers and more than 10,000
corporations, government organisations and other institutions.
Founded in 1986, the Company employs more than 6,000 people on six
continents. News and information are available at
www.newbridge.com
Newbridge, logo and MainStreet are registered trademarks of
Newbridge Networks Corporation. |
