Newbridge wins Kuwait deal
(Full text of press release from Canadian Corporate News)
OCTOBER 20, 1999
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Newbridge Networks Corporation
Europe - Abi Connor
Media contact
(01628) 428-729
E-mail: aconnor@newbridge.com
Website: www.newbridge.com
or
Newbridge Networks Corporation
North America: Jim Adamson
Media contact
(831) 905-4747
E-mail: jadamson@newbridge.com
or
Newbridge Networks Corporation
John Lawlor
Financial Analyst contact
(613) 591-3600
E-mail: jlawlor@newbridge.com |
