Vodafone Ireland boosts GPRS support with Cisco solutions

31 December 2002 -- Vodafone, Ireland's leading mobile operator, is investing in an MPLS-based (Multi Protocol Label Switching) IP core network based on technology from Cisco Systems.

The investment is designed to help enhance and improve GPRS (General Packet Radio System) capabilities on the Vodafone network in Ireland and to prepare the ground for the launch of 3G in 2003.

The services that will be enhanced include MMS (Multi Media Messaging Services), dial-in access to corporate LAN, ISP access over GPRS and WAP over GPRS. MMS will initially run on GPRS but will also run on the new UMTS (3G) network when customers will have the ability to carry out media streaming and video telephony via Vodafone Ireland's mobile network.

Liam Butler, Director of Networks, Vodafone Ireland said: "Providing multimedia based services across our core network and out to mobile devices means that more than ever we need to be able to streamline and prioritise traffic."

Paul Gainham, Routing and Broadband Access product manager, Cisco Systems, EMEA, said, "MPLS adoption is growing steadily, both amongst fixed and mobile network operators."

The Cisco MPLS-based IP core network offers scalable IP-VPNs, Class of Service (CoS), service differentiation and Quality of Service support features to help enable the deployment of new services. This new core network will support service offerings to consumer, and corporate customers within the Irish market.

Vodafone will deploy the Cisco 7600 Series Router in the network, with Cisco 2600 Routers, as well as the Catalyst 6500 Series, and Catalyst4000 Series Switches.