Doug, suffice it to say that any major carrier that is deploying broadband services at the edge, would have to look at other vendors for their core network, if its ATM. This wouldn't exclude NN at the edge, but practically speaking, a heterogenous edge/core network is attractive. Both LU/ASND and FORE (I'm still looking for NT info) would be able to satisfy this requirement currently. FORE would have a more difficult sell, given its relative "newness" to even addressing the carrier market. So it currently leaves LU/ASND as the prime beneficiary of NN's super-extended product cycle in delivering an up-to-date core solution.
The recent LU quarterly seems to indicate continued strength in the ASND product line, although, with a company the size of LU, it would be relatively easy for them to embellish any product line they want in any particular quarter. I tend to believe that the ASND ATM would currently be the "preferred" solution for unencumbered (no legacy) carriers, due mainly to its edge + core offerings. I wouldn't see this changing over the next six months. Perhaps in a year, if NN can execute flawlessly, and LU stumbles a bit...
Gary |
