17 December 2002 -- PacketFront, provider of next generation broadband infrastructure solutions, has been selected by NESA, the largest electrical utility in Denmark, to supply the equipment that will power and control one of the world's largest Operator Independent Networks (OIN).
PacketFront's Intelligent Broadband Solution will allow the network to carry at least a "Triple Play" of services, including TV, telephony and data. NESA plans to build the network, capable of delivering services to over 200,000 customers in the municipalities of Greater Copenhagen and Northern Zealand over the next ten years.
IBM Denmark has been selected by NESA as the systems integrator for the project. The project and relationship with IBM Denmark, at the same time, represents PacketFront's first partnership agreement.
NESA will not offer any services over the network itself, but will instead allow competing broadband providers to offer services and content over the same physical infrastructure, thereby giving end users real choice as multiple service providers compete for their custom.
Consumers and businesses using the NESA OIN can expect to be able to choose between a number of service providers rather than be tied into the services and content of a single incumbent infrastructure/service provider.
NESA's decision to develop a 'True Broadband' fibre infrastructure draws on its core competencies of building, maintaining and monitoring its existing electricity network.
"After a storm in 1999 destroyed large amounts of our electrical power lines, we decided to convert existing aerial power lines to ground cables. We recognised the potential of fibre in the broadband market, and synergies from the cable laying project create a unique opportunity for NESA to build a true broadband communication network", says Lars Lorensen, CTO at NESA.
"The power cable project makes the deployment of fibre-to-the home (FTTH) financially feasible, as we plan to lay down empty micro duct pipes with the power cables, for subsequent blowing of fibre. In order to increase our presence as a national player, we will continue to lay down the infrastructure of a fibre broadband network at a rate of approximately 2km per day over the next ten years."
IBM will build NESA's core network on a Cisco platform and provide the primary distribution infrastructure with PacketFront's Operator Independent Network solution. IBM will assist with systems integrations to other platforms such as billing and CRM systems. The interfaces from content providers such as TV channels, data connections and telephony integration will also be facilitated by IBM's project team.
"We're pleased that NESA has chosen IBM as Systems Integration Partner. IBM's strategy with Convergence and Triple Play networks has a perfect match to NESA's Vision in becoming the leader in True Broadband services", says Henning Glegg Networking Services Manager IBM Denmark.
The NESA project is compliant with the new EU Access Directive(2002/19/EC) due to be enforced from July 24th 2003, which requires broadband operators to allow competing service providers access to their networks.