Nortel Networks To Spearhead Leadership At Subscriber Edge Of Networks With Shasta 5000 Broadband Service Node - Company Business and Marketing

Cambridge Telcom Report, Oct 4, 1999

Nortel Networks Wednesday announced that the Shasta 5000 Broadband Service Node (BSN) will be its primary offering for carriers and service providers seeking to seamlessly migrate to broadband services, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) aggregation and subscriber management. Nortel Networks' Shasta 5000 BSN is a second-generation broadband aggregation solution that enables service providers and carriers globally to transition from simple connectivity models enabled by first generation broadband aggregation solutions, to a profitable, network-based, value-added services model.

Wednesday's announcement follows the successful integration and testing of industry leading technologies obtained in the acquisition of Shasta Networks, Inc. in April, 1999 by Nortel Networks, and the subsequent creation of the Shasta IP Services business unit.

"Shasta Networks' capabilities have contributed to us achieving leadership and momentum in building IP-centric solutions for our global customers," said Clarence Chandran, president of Nortel Networks Carrier Packet Services division. "The Shasta 5000 Broadband Service Node marks another milestone in our IP services strategy, offering service providers a seamless migration path from broadband subscriber aggregation to value added services, and will spearhead our leadership at the subscriber edge."

Nortel Networks will work with customers who are presently installing other broadband aggregation solution products, such as those supplied by Redback Networks, to meet existing expectations and commitments. However, Nortel Networks will no longer offer such other products to new customers as part of its solutions portfolio for service providers.

Powering Nortel Networks Leadership At The Subscriber Edge The Shasta 5000 BSN powers the subscriber edge of the network, where last mile technologies like DSL meet the Internet backbone and where broadband subscribers will meet broadband services. Services to be supported by the Shasta 5000 BSN include DSL, cable and wholesale dial aggregation, value added wholesale support using multiple virtual router contexts, network-based firewalls to secure always-on broadband technologies, quality of service policy application, subscriber auto-provisioning, and virtual private network functionality for network outsourcing. The Shasta 5000 BSN is in deployment with service providers around the world who are preparing for the transition from early technology trials to mass market deployment of secure DSL and other broadband access technologies.

Second Generation Solutions

"Unlike first generation broadband aggregation solutions, the Shasta 5000 Broadband Service Node has the processing power, subscriber aggregation and management scalability, Telco quality redundancy, software flexibility, auto-provisioning and operations integration to scale both broadband aggregation and broadband services," said Anthony Alles, president and general manager of the Nortel Networks Shasta IP Services business unit.

"A particularly important example of such a service, and of the unique capabilities of the Shasta 5000, is the ability to offer a managed network firewall for every DSL subscriber, eliminating any concerns about the security of always-on technologies like DSL. Such capabilities enable service providers to offer profitable enhanced services today, giving them the competitive market advantage they need to differentiate themselves from other service providers, and to build their broadband business case."

The Shasta 5000 BSN will be offered and supported by Nortel Networks' world wide sales force, in conjunction with Nortel Networks' leading broadband access technologies, including 1-Meg Modem and Etherloop, which are fully supported today by the Shasta products. The Shasta 5000 BSN is a highly scalable and modular platform, with pricing starting at US$30,000. It is available immediately.

Nortel Networks delivers value to customers around the world through Unified Networks solutions, spanning mission-critical telephony and IP-optimized networks. Customers include public and private enterprises and institutions; Internet service providers; local, long-distance, cellular and PCS communications companies, cable television carriers, and utilities.