Qwest Delivers Industry's First Transcontinental OC-192c Link Using Cisco Next Generation Gigabit Switch Router
PR Newswire - December 13, 1999 08:18
Broadband network leader first to trial Cisco 12016 GSR; Deployment of Higher Capacity Infrastructure enables next-generation IP services
DENVER, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Qwest Communications International Inc., (Nasdaq: QWST) the broadband Internet communications company, announced today that it has successfully launched the first coast-to-coast, Internet Protocol (IP) based Optical Carrier (OC)-192c link carrying commercial traffic at 10 Gigabits-per-second between Sunnyvale, Calif. and New York. Utilizing Cisco Systems' newly-announced multi-terabit routing platform -- the 12016 Gigabit Switch Router (GSR) -- Qwest is expanding capacity on its nationwide Internet backbone that for the first time will enable customers to exploit such bandwidth-intensive and time-sensitive applications as digital-quality voice and High Definition TV-quality video communications. The effort is part of Qwest's aggressive rollout of an all-optical, OC-192 IP network that will enable a host of new Internet and customer-managed bandwidth services while reducing operations costs by as much as 70 percent.
During the latest Cisco test, Qwest successfully streamed 270 Megabits- per-second of video over the network while at the same time handling Internet traffic generated out of the two most intensive markets in the U.S. -- Silicon Valley and the New York metropolitan area.
"Qwest is driving the development and delivery of innovative, end-to-end broadband applications and services over its high-capacity multi-terabit Internet network," said Vab Goel, Qwest's vice president of emerging technologies. "By deploying the nation's first coast-to-coast OC-192c IP link, Qwest now has the ability to offer digital-quality voice and images, a dramatic improvement over traditional voice and data networks."
"Cisco and Qwest share a commitment to building networks that are the benchmarks for delivering high capacity and quality of service," said Graeme Fraser, vice president and general manager of Cisco's Optical Internetworking Business Unit. "We are committed to supporting Qwest's initiatives for an end-to-end IP services-based network architecture with products today and in the future."
Qwest's existing nationwide OC-48 (2.5 Gigabits-per-second) IP network already supports multi-terabits of capacity. By deploying a nationwide OC-192c infrastructure, Qwest will be able to scale its network capacity up to five terabits-per-second, in real time, to better deliver its constantly expanding suite of broadband applications and services. The new Cisco equipment will help strengthen Qwest's position as the leading provider of next-generation services such as dedicated Internet access, web hosting, voice-over-IP (VoIP), video streaming and IP-based virtual private networks (VPNs). The OC-192c platform will have unprecedented capacity, quality of service and restoration capability and will support new services, such as real-time VoIP services offered by Qwest customer eVoice Inc.
"eVoice provides a crucial, real-time service to consumers -- answering their home phone -- and we need a very reliable and scalable network across the country," said Bruce Crair, president and chief operating officer for eVoice, of Menlo Park, Calif. "The addition of OC-192c links to Qwest's leading-edge Internet network enhances the scalability, features and low-latency performance we need to deliver enhanced voice over IP services to our customers."
Qwest is upgrading the industry's first completed nationwide OC-48 network to OC-192c -- four times faster than any existing IP network -- beginning in first half of 2000 using next generation all-optical network technology. When fully deployed, the all-optical network will offer, seamless, end-to-end connectivity at OC-192c speeds via existing backbone fiber and newly-installed local fiber in 25 major metropolitan areas. At the same time, Qwest is upgrading its world-class CyberCenters with multiple OC-192c links, enabling hosting customers to directly benefit from the capacity, performance and reliability gains.
About Qwest
Qwest Communications International Inc. (Nasdaq: QWST) is a leader in reliable, scalable and secure broadband Internet-based data, voice and image communications for businesses and consumers. The Qwest Macro Capacity(R) Fiber Network, designed with the newest optical networking equipment for speed and efficiency, spans more than 24,500 miles in North America. For more information, please visit the Qwest web site at www.qwest.com.
About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at cisco.com.
This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Qwest with the SEC, specifically the most recent reports which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including potential fluctuations in quarterly results, dependence on new product development, rapid technological and market change, failure to maintain the rights of way, financial risk management and future growth subject to risks, Qwest's ability to achieve Year 2000 compliance, and adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment, and failure to complete the merger and achieve projected synergies and financial results timely or at all. This release may include analysts' estimates and other information prepared by third parties, for which Qwest assumes no responsibility. Qwest undertakes no obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
The Qwest logo is a registered trademark of Qwest Communications International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries.
Cisco, Cisco IOS, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE Qwest Communications International Inc.
/CONTACT: Jane Morrissey, media, 303-992-3882, jane.morrissey@qwest.com,
or Lee Wolfe, investors, 800-567-7296, IR@qwest.com, both of Qwest
Communications International Inc.; or Anca Green, media, 408-527-5899,
agreen@cisco.com, or Robert DeTata, investors, 408-527-6388, detata@cisco.com,
both of Cisco Systems, Inc./
/Web site: cisco.com
/Web site: qwest.net
(QWST CSCO) |
