Vodafone Australia Selects Lucent Technologies to Deploy a 3G Core Data Network Using Juniper Networks Routing Platforms

Vodafone Australia Selects Lucent Technologies to Deploy a 3G Core Data Network Using Juniper Networks Routing Platforms

Lucent Worldwide Services and Juniper Networks to integrate IP/MPLS solution with 3G network to enable Vodafone to deliver high-speed mobile data services to its customers

SYDNEY, Australia and SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lucent Technologies (NYSE:LU) and Juniper Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:JNPR) today announced that Vodafone will deploy an industry-leading data networking core solution that will be integrated with Vodafone's third-generation (3G) mobile network to bring mobile high-speed data services to customers in Australia.

Lucent Worldwide Services (LWS) will design and implement the new IP/MPLS (Internet Protocol/Multiprotocol Label Switching) solution using Juniper Networks M320 Multiservice Edge Platform to create a scaleable, secure and reliable IP/MPLS core that will carry Vodafone's 2G, 2.5G and 3G traffic between Brisbane and Melbourne via Sydney. Much of this traffic has traditionally been carried over lower speed ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) systems; the joint Lucent and Juniper Networks solution will enable Vodafone to consolidate this traffic onto a single IP/MPLS network that can reduce capital costs and increase bandwidth and service flexibility.

Following the deployment, LWS will provide ongoing maintenance and support services to help Vodafone continue to optimize its network.

"Vodafone is committed to becoming a leading mobile multimedia company and our decision to enhance and expand our network enhancement by employing technology from Lucent and Juniper Networks will help us deliver on this promise to our customers," said Graeme Goss, Manager Technology Operations, Vodafone Australia. 'It will help us to provide customers with a superior mobile multimedia and wireless networking experience, while at the same time protecting our quality of service and ability to expand as our customer numbers continue to grow."

"As a leader in the deployment of data networking solutions for 3G mobile operators, Lucent is very pleased to support Vodafone as it strengthens its 3G offerings," said Paul Higgs, president LWS Asia/Pacific. "Leveraging our multivendor experience, vast network integration knowledge and experience and Bell Lab's tools and methodologies, we are helping Vodafone rapidly deploy secure and reliable next-generation services to Australia's mobile consumers."

The Juniper Networks M320 is a 320 gigabit-per-second multiservice edge routing platform that aggregates multiple services onto a single MPLS network. Running on the JUNOS operating system, the M320 features Juniper Networks Frame and ATM Service Emulation (J-FASE), which enable one of the industry's most complete ATM and frame relay emulation over an MPLS infrastructure. Vodafone will use the J-FASE technology to migrate existing services to the consolidated IP/MPLS core network.

"The Juniper Networks M320 is an ideal platform for mobile operators to deliver a range of new 3G services, while also reducing operating expenses through multiservice consolidation," said Shaun Page, Regional Director, Juniper Networks Australia and New Zealand. We're pleased to be selected for this important deployment and look forward to working with our partner, Lucent, and Vodafone to bring these exciting new applications to market."

MPLS

Multiprotocol Label Switching is a protocol that enables networks that are more efficient, scalable, can handle more bandwidth and higher speed traffic with greater reliability than has been traditionally available with IP networks.

About Vodafone

Vodafone Group Plc is a leading mobile communications company - 25 per cent of the world's mobile phone users are connected to Vodafone. Vodafone has equity interests in 26 countries, and partner networks in a further 13 countries -- leaving an unmatched network footprint. The company provides quality services to 2.5 million Australian customers and has more than 139.2 million proportionate customers worldwide.

VODAFONE and the Vodafone logos are trademarks of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

About Juniper Networks, Inc.

Juniper Networks transforms the business of networking by creating competitive advantage for our customers with superior networking and security solutions. Juniper Networks is dedicated to customers who derive strategic value from their networks, including global network operators, enterprises, government agencies and research and educational institutions. Juniper Networks' portfolio of networking and security solutions support the complex scale, security and performance requirements of the world's most demanding mission critical networks. Additional information can be found at http://www.juniper.net/.

About Lucent Technologies

Lucent Technologies designs and delivers the systems, services and software that drive next-generation communications networks. Backed by Bell Labs research and development, Lucent uses its strengths in mobility, optical, software, data and voice networking technologies, as well as services, to create new revenue-generating opportunities for its customers, while enabling them to quickly deploy and better manage their networks. Lucent's customer base includes communications service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide. For more information on Lucent Technologies, which has headquarters in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, visit http://www.lucent.com/.

Lucent Technologies Asia Pacific is headquartered in both Singapore and Hong Kong, serving all markets in Asia Pacific including Australasia, India, Japan, Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia. Asia is also home to a large network of Bell Labs facilities. The innovation engine behind Lucent Technologies has research and development facilities in Japan, Singapore, India, and has maintained a number of labs in China since 1997. China is a key market for Lucent, accounting for some 10 percent of the Lucent workforce and about 11 percent of total Lucent revenue in fiscal 2003.

Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo, NetScreen, NetScreen Technologies, the NetScreen logo, NetScreen-Global Pro, ScreenOS, and GigaScreen are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

M-series, JUNOS and J-FASE are trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.


Source: Lucent Technologies

CONTACT: Donough Foley of Lucent Technologies, (mobile) +852-9306-0401,
(office) +852-2506-8035, dffoley@lucent.com; or Susan Ursch of Juniper
Networks, Inc., +1-978-589-0124, sursch@juniper.net; or Juliet Simpson of
Vodafone Australia, +61-414-202-223, Juliet.simpson@vodafone.com.au

Web site: http://www.lucent.com/
http://www.juniper.net/


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