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Openreach Strengthens Ethernet Access Direct Services with Ciena
[August 29, 2014]

Openreach Strengthens Ethernet Access Direct Services with Ciena


(ENP Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ENP Newswire - 29 August 2014 Release date- 28082014 - HANOVER, Md., U.S.A. and LONDON, UK - Following strong demand for its range of Ethernet Access Direct (EAD) products, Openreach, BT's local access network business, has selected Ciena's (NYSE: CIEN) packet networking solutions to support the evolution of its Ethernet services.



Openreach's communication provider (CP) customers are looking to capitalise on the UK's high-capacity Ethernet business services market, which is expected to grow by 23 per cent over the next three to four years according to Ovum1, by offering faster and more reliable Ethernet service delivery. CPs also need to support enterprise clients' increasing application-centric network consumption behaviors, enabling services such as bandwidth on-demand, cloud computing and high-bandwidth applications, including video, CRM platforms and real-time data backup.

Key Facts: Openreach provides CPs with equal access to the wires and fibres that deliver the data, broadband and voice services to tens of millions of homes and businesses in the UK. Openreach's EAD+ services offer a wide choice of high-bandwidth, permanently connected, point-to-point Ethernet solutions that help CPs expand their own networks and deliver a range of high-quality services, such as cloud computing, storage area network connectivity and mobile backhaul.


A key element of its OPn network architecture, Ciena's E-suite family of packet switch modules, including the 3916 and 3930 Service Delivery Switches and 5142, 5150 and 5160 Service Aggregation Switches, ensure fast Ethernet service delivery, agility and assurance for Openreach's EAD services. The solutions combine intelligent devices and software to create the necessary infrastructure for Openreach to deploy low-touch, high-velocity Ethernet services, backed by stringent SLAs with rigorous performance and availability guarantees.

Openreach will also leverage Ciena's advanced Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) software, including its Service-Aware Operating System (SAOS) and OneControl Unified Management System, to enable low-touch service provisioning. With Ciena's automated reporting and service-level testing capabilities, Openreach will be able to proactively monitor and measure the network's ongoing performance for greater efficiency.

Executive Comments: 'We have been providing our Ethernet Access Direct products to the UK communications industry since 2009. During this time, market demand for secure, dedicated business connectivity has grown exponentially - literally underpinning the bread and butter of businesses right across the UK. Maintaining a robust supply chain against this backdrop is of paramount importance to us and our customers. Choosing Ciena as our new dual NTE vendor will provide assurance of continuous supply while also maximising opportunities to further develop the capabilities we offer.' Jon Hurry, MD, Strategy, Commercial, Portfolio & Policy, Openreach 'Openreach is delivering on its promise to provide flexible and robust Ethernet services in the UK. By deploying a simplified, on-demand infrastructure with our packet networking and software solutions, Openreach is ensuring its communication provider customers have access to the support and services they need to be competitive.' - Francois Locoh-Donou, senior vice president, global products group at Ciena (c) 2014 Electronic News Publishing -

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