Nortel Networks` Contivity Extranet Switch has been selected for Sprint`s Global Internet Virtual Private Network (VPN) service.
Sprint, one of the largest carriers of Internet traffic, will use Nortel Networks` products to build secure managed remote networks that enable companies to increase their ebusiness activity globally without acquiring, implementing or managing the necessary equipment themselves.
"This further demonstrates Nortel Networks` commitment to enabling service providers and businesses to fully leverage the compelling new economics of the Internet revolution," says Doug Batchelor, regional director of Nortel Networks` Enterprise Solutions line of business in South Africa.
IP virtual private networks (VPNs) are one of a new class of high-margin IP services, provided by carriers that enable enterprises to use the power of the Internet to reduce networking costs and staffing requirements. Instead of using their own private lines or frame relay links, a corporate VPN is outsourced to Internet service providers.
"IP VPNs are a lucrative business opportunity for service providers. They deliver a new economic model to service providers, reducing networking costs for businesses and offering potentially double the profit margin of other IP services," Batchelor says. "Nortel Networks` industry-leading Contivity Extranet Switch, designed specifically for VPN applications, is the perfect answer for service providers looking to capitalise on this rapidly-growing market."
Kathy Walker, vice president of product management for Sprint Business, comments: "As companies embrace the digital economy and adopt Internet technologies, they need to feel confident that they can communicate with customers and transact business in a highly-reliable, secure private network environment. Sprint has selected Nortel Networks` Contivity Extranet Switch because of its `all-in-one-box` technology that provides a full range of features for building high-performance, scalable, secure IP VPNs to allow corporations to leave the network operations to Sprint while they concentrate on their core business."
With this Global Internet VPN service, Sprint can offer its customers complete design and implementation of their VPN networks. Sprint`s selection of the Contivity Extranet Switch for its new VPN service further reinforces the existing relationship between Sprint and Nortel Networks.
The Contivity Extranet Switch is ideal for secure tunnelling across managed IP networks and the Internet. A single hardware device, it provides routing, bandwidth management, encryption, authentication and data integrity. The Contivity Extranet Switch 4500 offers connectivity for up to 5,000 simultaneous connections for both individual dial-in users and routed branch offices. In addition, it supports the widest variety of tunneling (L2TP, PPTP, IPSec, L2F), authentication (hard and soft tokens, Radius, X.509, internal/external LDAP, NT domain) and security standards (DES, 3-DES, RC4) in the industry.
Nortel Networks works with customers world-wide to design, build, and deliver telecommunications and IP-optimised 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.
Nortel Networks` common shares are listed on the New York, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and London stock exchanges. Nortel Networks had 1998 revenues of US$17.6 billion and has approximately 75,000 employees world-wide.
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