Redback Networks to Support First:Telecom in Broadband Rollout in Three European Countries
Monday May 15, 7:35 am Eastern Time
Initial Rollout of DSL in 30 German Cities with Plans for National Broadband Deployment in the UK and France by 2001
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 2000-- Redback Networks, Inc., (Nasdaq:RBAK - news) today announced that First:Telecom, a European competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) is deploying Redback's subscriber management technology to support its newly announced European broadband DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) service.
First:Telecom will aim the service primarily at the business market and will also wholesale it to other service providers. The Redback Subscriber Management System(TM) (SMS) will manage and auto-provision the large numbers of subscribers expected to join First:Telecom's business service when it goes live this summer. The service, which has already been successfully tested in Frankfurt, will be available in ten German cities by the end of 2000 and in a total of 30 German cities by 2001. Deployment in other countries, including the U.K. and France, will follow as local loop unbundling de-regulation permits.
``Our business customers are demanding high-speed Internet access, and we learned from service providers in the United States who are using Redback's proven SMS that subscriber management must be an integral part of our network infrastructure to meet customer expectations,'' said First:Telecom European Marketing Director Rupert Baines. ``Redback's SMS solution operates intelligently in the network, with a high level of functionality, and ensures quality of service. This gives us a competitive advantage, not only in the service we provide directly to users but also in our wholesale relationships, and it allows us to manage multiple customers with the same level of quality, without the need for closed networks.''
Redback's SMS technology will interoperate with First:Telecom's DSLAMs (DSL access multiplexers) to provide profiling, billing, and dynamic provisioning capabilities for thousands of subscribers simultaneously before routing them to and from the Internet. Where it is deployed, broadband DSL access has attracted large numbers of subscribers because it provides fast, 'always on' Internet connectivity and enables delivery of premium content. Following its deployment in Germany, First:Telecom will partner with British Telecom in its ADSL trials and with ARTin France.
The process of local loop unbundling around Europe is gradually opening the DSL market to independent, well-funded data CLECs such as First:Telecom. ``Redback believes this will create a dynamic marketplace that greatly benefits the end user, as long as service providers can match demand with quality,'' said Joop van Aard, Redback's vice-president of operations for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. ``In Germany, where de-regulation has already occurred, First:Telecom is accomplishing its stated mission to provide reliable, fast, and cost-effective broadband Internet access. With the Redback SMS, First:Telecom is enhancing its ability to rapidly deploy services to thousands of subscribers and is future-proofing the scope of broadband services it can offer business customers.''
About Redback Networks, Inc.
Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Redback Networks, Inc., is a leading provider of advanced networking solutions that enable carriers, cable operators, and service providers to rapidly deploy broadband access and services. The company's market-leading Subscriber Management Systems(TM) (SMS) connect and manage large numbers of subscribers using any of the major broadband access technologies such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), cable, and wireless. To deliver integrated transport solutions for metropolitan optical networks, Redback's SmartEdge(TM) multi-service platforms leverage powerful advances in ASIC, IP, and optical technology. With its combined product portfolio, Redback Networks is the first equipment supplier focused exclusively on developing integrated solutions for the New Access Network. Redback Networks has European Headquarters and a Technical Assistance Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with regional offices in France, Germany, the U.K., and the Benelux countries.
Redback, Subscriber Management System and SmartEdge are trademarks of Redback Networks, Inc. Other trademarks, service marks, and trade names belong to their respective owners.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding Redback Networks' expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding future customer requirements, future sales and future product development. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based upon information available to Redback Networks as of the date hereof, and Redback Networks assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These and other risks relating to Redback Networks' business are set forth in the documents filed by Redback Networks with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most recent report on Form 10-K, and the other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
