PR NewsWire Enron Communications, Inc. Announces Next Phase of Network Deployment; Forms Alliance With Cisco Systems and Ciena Corporation
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Alliance With Cisco Systems and Ciena Corporation
PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Enron Communications, Inc., a
wholly owned subsidiary of Enron Corp. (NYSE: ENE), announced today that it is
building the nation's first all-Internet Protocol (IP) backbone. Enron
Communications' Pure IP(SM) network not only will address the growing demand
for IP bandwidth but also will significantly reduce capital costs and
operating expenditures compared to traditional communication systems. To
implement this new architecture, Enron Communications has formed strategic
alliances with Cisco Systems (Nasdaq: CSCO) and Ciena Corporation
(Nasdaq: CIEN), leading providers of telecommunications technology.
"This development is a natural progression in our telecommunications
strategy," said Joe Hirko, CEO and president of Enron Communications. "We're
completing construction on the Western Build network and are preparing to
light the fibers early next year. Now we've selected the network architecture
that enables service providers to offer new applications, such as video to the
desktop and collaborative services. Our Pure IP(SM) network better addresses
the data-oriented needs of customers than a network optimized for traditional
voice communications services."
The Enron Communications Pure IP(SM) network will utilize Cisco Systems'
high-speed 12000 Gigabit Switch Routers (GSR) and Ciena's MultiWave Sentry
4000 Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM), which create the high speed
optical circuits. The Cisco routers enable Enron Communications to run IP
directly over DWDM channels, bypassing unnecessary network layers that slow
traffic and add expense to traditional networks.
"The significance of Internet Protocol networks, such as the one now being
built by Enron Communications, cannot be overstated," said Graeme Fraser, vice
president of Cisco's Optical Internetworking Business Unit. "The
telecommunications infrastructure of the future will be built with networks
that send IP over the optical layer. Enron's expanding relationship with
Cisco and its adaptation of Cisco's optical internetworking strategy enable it
to deliver the next generation of network applications now."
"The growth in high speed data applications requires network planners to
design networks that can scale rapidly and economically," said Steve Chaddick,
CIENA's senior vice president of strategy and corporate development. "Enron's
network architecture represents the best new approach to building multi-
service networks commercially available today."
Enron Communications is building long-haul fiber-optic networks on
strategic routes throughout the United States in an effort to create a data-
centric national fiber optic backbone. Enron Communications will focus on the
wholesale bandwidth needs of the telecommunications service providers. Enron
Corp. is one of the world's leading integrated natural gas and electricity
companies. The company, which owns approximately $28 billion in assets,
produces electricity and natural gas, develops, constructs and operates energy
and water facilities worldwide and delivers physical commodities and risk
management and financial services to customers around the world. Enron's
Internet address is www.enron.com, and the stock is traded under the ticker
symbol, "ENE."
SOURCE Enron Communications, Inc.
-0- 11/03/98
/CONTACT: Tracy Smith of Enron Communications, Inc., 503-703-7034, or
tracy_smith@enron.net; or Everett Tackett of Cisco Systems, 408-527-8607, or
etackett@cisco.com; or Denny Bilter of Ciena Corporation, 800-921-1144, or
dbilter@ciena.com/
/Web site: enron.com
(ENE CSCO CIEN)
CO: Enron Communications, Inc.; Enron Corp.; Cisco Systems; Ciena Corporation
ST: Texas, California, Maryland
IN: TLS MLM
SU: JVN
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