StarHub Deploys Ciena's DN 7000 Series for 3G Mobile Access Network

US : Ciena Corporation announced that StarHub, Singapore ’s integrated info-communications service provider, has deployed Ciena’s DN 7000™ series of multiservice edge switches in the service provider’s rollout of third generation (3G) mobile services, including video calls, video streaming and video Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS).

Ciena’s DN 7200 is being deployed in StarHub’s 3G Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (RAN) to aggregate voice and data traffic and transport it from the wireless base stations to the mobile switching centers.

The 2G/3G wireless backhaul application represents a growth opportunity for multiservice edge switches as mobile operators worldwide transition from TDM to packet-based access networks to support the higher data rates and quality of service demands of 3G services.

The DN 7200 gives StarHub a high-capacity multiservice platform with industry-leading 99.9999% system availability, critical for keeping pace with increasing customer usage and the high bandwidth requirements of 3G services.

In fiscal year 2004, StarHub grew its mobile customer base by 30 percent to 1.16 million subscribers. By consolidating multiple leased lines onto a converged, packet architecture based on the DN 7200, StarHub is reducing its operational costs while simultaneously increasing the capacity and reliability of its mobile access network to support this rapid growth in new subscribers and network traffic today and in the future.

“As our 3G service portfolio and customer base grows, the capacity and reliability of our mobile access network is paramount to delivering the highest quality customer experience possible,” said Dave Storrie, head of network and wholesale services for StarHub. “Ciena’s DN 7200 immediately reduces the cost and complexity of our mobile access network and combines uncompromising reliability with the interface and virtual circuit density to scale our capacity as demand grows for our 3G services.”

StarHub has deployed the new Channelized STM-1 capabilities of the DN 7000 series to enable an extremely cost-effective solution for aggregating high-density E1 ATM/IMA links in a 3G RAN environment. With proven IP/MPLS capabilities including PWE3-based ATM, Frame Relay and Ethernet pseudowires, Ethernet service interworking and ATM/MPLS migration features, the DN 7000 series ensures the StarHub access network is well positioned for 3G radio equipment evolution of the 3GPP UMTS standards to Release 5 and 6.

“As an operator in a region that is experiencing tremendous growth in mobile services, StarHub is an ideal network to showcase the versatility of the DN 7000 series to converge 3G and legacy mobile services, drive down the operational costs of 3G backhaul and future-proof the network for migration to IP/MPLS,” said Steve Alexander, CTO and general manager of Ciena’s Data Networking Group. “Deployed in networks worldwide to support multiple applications ranging from 3G wireless backhaul, migration of Frame Relay and ATM corporate data services to IP/MPLS, Ethernet service interworking, and broadband (DSL/FTTx) aggregation, the DN 7000 series continues to be the technology innovator and market leader in next generation multiservice edge switching.”

In addition to aggregating the 3G traffic, StarHub is also using the DN 7200 to aggregate multiple wireline services, including broadband DSL traffic and legacy Frame Relay and ATM data services. The DN 7200 allows multiple service networks to be collapsed onto a compact, highly efficient platform to drastically reduce operational costs and simplify network management while maintaining the reliability and quality of service customers expect. StarHub is managing its 3G backhaul through Ciena’s ON-Center DN 7000 Manager to assure the most rapid service provisioning and monitoring of new 3G mobile switching centers.