Optus pushes ahead with core network upgrade

Juniper switches to underpin LTE growth.

SingTel Optus will deploy Juniper switches as part of a core network upgrade that is designed to support data growth on the carrier's burgeoning LTE network.

The telco has bought an undisclosed number of Juniper Networks PTX5000 packet transport switches, with the first to be deployed in a core point-of-presence in Melbourne.

It expects to have the switches online at other core points-of-presence by the end of the year.

Spokespeople for Optus and Juniper were not available for comment at the time of publication.

It appeared the Juniper switches were being supplied under a wider multi-million dollar network modernisation program that Optus first signed with Nokia-Siemens Networks back in April 2011, and which was augmented in July last year.

A Nokia-Siemens Networks spokesperson was also contacted for comment.

Optus runs a converged core network, meaning its wireless and wireline traffic runs on a common backbone.

Juniper said in a statement that Optus is making use of a "virtual networking environment [called Junosphere] to design and model the new network and assist with planning the migration".

"Junosphere enables service providers and other customers running Junos-based networks to create and run replicas of their network in the cloud, without costly investments in lab hardware," the vendor said.

Karim Nejaim, vice president of Optus converged services engineering said in a statement that the Juniper switches "provides the density required to support our growth plans". He also anticipated cost base and power efficiency gains.

A cost for the rollout was not disclosed.