Telstra pushes VPN offshore

Telstra pursued the global IP-VPN service following the successful roll-out of its domestic service - called Telstra Private IP Solutions (TPIPs) - which claimed more than 40 percent of the market since its introduction two years ago.

Telstra has extended it domestic IP-based virtual private network (IP-VPN) into global markets, making the service available to international customers doing business in 50 different countries.

Telstra international services manager Roger Carvossa said the global service had been founded on new MPLS (multi protocol label switching) technology that gave corporate customers IP connectivity within a secure, non-internet environment that offered a choice of Class of Service selections aimed at different application traffic, from e-mail to Web-based enterprise applications or voice over IP (VoIP).

The TPIPS service is currently being used in Australia by about 500 customers. Carvossa expects the company will be able to sell the new global IP-VPN service to local customers that have offices overseas - particularly those with offices in the Asia region.

Telstra will partner with allied companies like TelstraClear in New Zealand and with Reach, its 50/50 joint venture with PCCW in Asia, to provide the service. It will also use the US-based IP network provider Infonet to provide connectivity further afield than the region.