Viatel Ethernet set to take over the WAN

Companies To Experience LAN-Like Performance In The WAN As Viatel Launches National and International Any-To-Any Service

UK, 11th April - Viatel has announced the launch of Viatel Ethernet, a cost effective and flexible wide area network service that allows customers to connect their sites at speeds that have previously only been experienced in the LAN. The high capacity, flexible nature of Viatel Ethernet means that companies can now run their data, internet, voice and video applications on a single company network, helping to reduce costs.

Ethernet has typically been used to replace leased lines as a point-to-point solution. Whilst this continues to deliver major benefits to customers, Viatel is taking advantage of Ethernet being incorporated into the WAN to deliver a broad range of connectivity options including point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and its innovative any-to-any service.

With committed rates of 1Mbps up to Gigabit speeds and bandwidth increments of 1, 5, 10 and 100Mbps depending on the subscribed rate, customers can change bandwidth capacity and network configuration as the business demands, making it easier to add sites and evolve the company network.

Viatel has partnered with Juniper Networks and Huawei to provide the network equipment for the infrastructure supporting these innovative services. By combining the cost effective, high bandwidth capabilities of Huawei with the sophisticated, multi-service capabilities of Juniper Networks, Viatel has quickly been able to develop and deliver a broad spectrum of cost-effective, high performance services.

Juniper's multi-service platform capabilities also allow Viatel to offer customers a simple yet powerful migration path from legacy networks. Key advanced technologies like VPLS running on the Multi-service network provide Viatel with the flexibility and service velocity necessary in a competitive marketplace.

The increased network performance delivered by Viatel Ethernet makes it ideal for companies needing to run bandwidth hungry applications such as CRM and ERP, or real time applications such as voice, between sites. It also supports high capacity business continuity solutions including backup and storage.

Viatel's any-to-any service allows companies to locate IT resources wherever they need to without being restricted by the WAN. It also supports direct client-to-client communication needed to run voice quality services such as VoIP.

"Companies can effectively create a virtual LAN with our service, and reap the associated benefits in terms of network rationalisation, greater flexibility and improved management," commented Roberto Bonanzinga, senior vice president, business development and marketing, Viatel.

"We don't have legacy revenues to protect, so we're focused on delivering a cost effective Ethernet service that will totally disrupt the traditional ATM and Frame Relay Market. In fact, I believe we're the first to offer a private networking solution that can really work for both small and large businesses," continued Bonanzinga.

Viatel Ethernet is available UK wide and internationally, with points of presence in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Germany and the US. The services are based on Viatel's resilient core network and can also be integrated with Viatel's other IP VPN, Internet access, hosting and security services to offer customers a flexible approach to their needs.

"Ethernet technology is now ready for widespread adoption in the WAN and can offer companies many benefits, such as centralised applications. A provider's lack of services across a broad geographic base can be a barrier to Ethernet adoption" said, Eddie Minshull, vice president of operations EMEA, Juniper Networks. "Therefore Viatel is in a very strong position to take advantage of Ethernet on a Metro, national and international basis, providing businesses with a truly convergent network to deliver VoIP and other performance-dependent applications. Juniper is very happy to be providing technology that enables Viatel to provide such an advanced service. The combination of Juniper's MPLS thought leadership and feature delivery plus Viatel's innovative service approach delivers a very powerful and flexible offering".

About Viatel

Viatel is a pan-European business communications company operating across 6 European markets, including the UK, France and Germany. It has more than 10,000 business customers, providing them a range of business communication services that help companies of all sizes to access the internet, connect their people and places, manage their web applications and increase the security of their data. Headed by Lucy Woods, formerly CEO of WorldCom EMEA and BT Northern Ireland, the company employs 200 people throughout Western Europe.

For further information on Viatel, please visit:

www.viatel.com

For further information please call:

Ana Williams on +44 (0)207 357 8612

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