Saudi Telecom taps Juniper Networks for Internet gateway backbone

Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR) says it has supplied a pair of platforms to support Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) as the service provider upgrades its fixed and mobile Internet backbone. Juniper will supply its PTX5000 Series Packet Transport Routers as well as MX2020 3D Universal Edge Routers.

The PTX deployment is the first in the Middle East, Juniper adds. The company debuted the PTX concept at OFC 2011 (see "PTX Series Packet Transport Switch starts Juniper Networks down packet-optical transport path").

The backbone upgrade comes as STC strives to keep pace with growing customer demand for ultra-high speed Internet access, 3G/4G, and other services, according to the router vendor. The service list includes wholesale offerings for international providers.

"We invest in our network to stay ahead of our customers' ever increasing expectations for more bandwidth and new applications and services. Juniper's innovative technologies allow us to maintain our market leadership and future-proof our business through the deployment of state-of-the-art technologies. This is an impressive leap forward in network capacity and performance to meet customer expectations," explained Eng. Nasser Al Nasser, senior vice president for technology and operations at STC.

"Traffic dynamics like mobility, video and cloud-based services are transforming traditional networks. STC has moved quickly to accommodate the constant increase in Internet traffic and continues to enhance its business through innovation," added Adrian Pickering, vice president, Middle East and Africa at Juniper Networks.

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