Jersey Telecom is to deploy Marconi`s (MONI) Access Hub platform to provide its residential and enterprise customers with the latest broadband digital subscriber line (xDSL) services.
The Channel Island operator, which in December 2002 became the first service provider in Europe to deploy Marconi`s SoftSwitch voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) platform, will now combine the two platforms to create an integrated broadband network capable of providing advanced services such as VOIP and high-speed data. It will be the world`s first combination by an operator of Marconi`s SoftSwitch and Access Hub.
Under the latest agreement, Marconi will provide Jersey Telecom with its AXH600 and AXH2500 Access Hub high-density multi-service nodes and the ServiceOn Access management system. Access Hubs will provide a cost-effective access solution from a single platform, eventually phasing out Jersey Telecom`s legacy narrowband network.
The initial phase of the deployment involves Access Hubs equipped with a new feature that combines Plain Old Telephony Services (POTs) and xDSL on a single tributary card. This allows Jersey Telecom to switch narrowband users to broadband with the click of a mouse button on its network management system. Legacy technology requires a technician to visit a local telephone exchange and manually switch over a customer`s telephone line from narrowband to broadband equipment. By using Marconi Access Hub, Jersey Telecom`s customers wishing to subscribe to broadband services can be connected within a few hours of placing their order. Jersey Telecom plans to roll-out 5 000 of the new POTS/DSL lines initially, with a further 12 000 lines being deployed over the next 18 months.
"Access Hub met all of our technical requirements and allows us to invest in a network for the future, rather than investing in legacy technology," said Jerry Rabast'e, Director of Strategic Planning at Jersey Telecom. "It reduces our capital expenditure as we only have to invest in one platform for both voice and data, and produces savings on power, space, maintenance and other operating costs. In addition, we now have the ability to offer advanced, broadband multimedia services and connect our customers in hours, opening up new revenue-generating opportunities and enhancing service speed and performance for our end-users."
Commenting, Rod Smith, Marconi`s Executive Vice-President for Northern Europe, said: "Marconi has worked with Jersey Telecom to develop a 21st century network solution based on Marconi`s Access Hub and SoftSwitch technology. This creates what we believe to be the only total, end-to-end carrier-class truly IP-based multimedia network in the world. Most significantly of all, however, is that this combination will enable Jersey Telecom to run both POTS and VOIP, protecting lucrative voice revenues, as well as enabling the operator to deliver new DSL services over the same network while replacing legacy technology. We believe that we are providing a compelling broadband proposition that other operators, in the UK and across Europe, will watch very closely and wish to emulate."
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Jersey Telecom is part of the Jersey Telecom Group Limited and provides fixed and mobile telephony services to the Island of Jersey. The company has made significant investments over the last decade to provide the Island with a modern, high-quality telecommunications network.
For more information about Jersey Telecom, visit www.jerseytelecom.com.
Marconi plc
Marconi plc is a global telecommunications equipment and solutions company headquartered in London. The company`s core business is the provision of innovative and reliable optical networks, broadband routing and switching and broadband access technologies and services. The company`s customer base includes many of the world`s largest telecommunications operators.
The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol MONI. Additional information about Marconi can be found at www.marconi.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to products, partners, customers, future growth and other matters. Please refer to the Form 20-F report and Form 6-K reports filed by Marconi plc with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements.
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