JULY 28, 2008 -- FairPoint Communications (search for FairPoint) has selected Cisco (search for Cisco) as one of the primary equipment providers for the company's proposed New England Internet Protocol (IP) and Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) broadband initiative. The implementation of the IP/MPLS network is a major step in the commitment FairPoint has made to increase broadband availability in the region.
FairPoint assumed control of the New England infrastructure -- located in New Hampshire, Main, and Vermont -- via its well-publicized joint venture with Verizon.
FairPoint and Cisco see the emergence of a global digital networked economy with IP Next Generation Network (IP NGN)-based intelligent information networks that remove the barriers of time, place, and media to allow the seamless interaction of people, processes and technology. FairPoint will be able to deliver end-to-end IP-based services that can adapt rapidly to support continual business change, the companies say.
"FairPoint will provide Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont with a state-of-the-art IP-based communications network needed to compete in the new economy," said Peter Nixon, president of FairPoint. "Cisco's selection demonstrates our commitment to deploying one of the best technologies available to help stimulate economic growth throughout the region."
"FairPoint Communications' IP NGN network, enabled by Cisco, allows businesses and consumers of northern New England to compete more effectively in the new global digital networked economy, which is vital to the continued economic development of the region," said Kelly Ahuja, vice president and general manager, service provider routing technology group of Cisco. "As a global leader in providing IP-based networking products and services, Cisco has described ways in which IP networking products and services can enable FairPoint to achieve its business and financial goals."
FairPoint has selected the Cisco Carrier Routing System (CRS-1) as the core platform of its fiber-based IP/MPLS infrastructure, the Cisco 7600 Series Routers for the IP/MPLS edge and the Cisco 10000 Series Edge Services Router (ESR) for aggregation and termination.
FairPoint's MPLS platform will create the foundation for a large number of highly reliable and efficient business class services, including Ethernet WAN and IP-based applications such as Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPN, VPLS, E-LAN and E-LINE Services as well as set the groundwork for IPTV. The network will also support existing services such as Frame-Relay, Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) and Circuit Emulation Services for backhaul in DS1 to DS3 (clear channel or channelized) circuits.
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