Juniper Launches New Mobile Backhaul Solution to Capture Growing Market Momentum

| Apr 1, 2008 | Carrier Infrastructure | Competitive Intelligence Report

| Analysts: Glen Hunt

Current Perspective: Positive
Vendor Importance: High
Market Impact: High

Event Summary

March 31, 2008 -- Juniper announced new hardware and software features to bolster its support for mobile backhaul networks. The announcement addresses TCO, service innovation and management. The new BX 7000 Multi-Access Gateway for cell sites, M-series circuit emulation interfaces for the aggregation sites, enhancements to the JUNOScope, plus new zero-touch deployment capabilities make up the solution which will be generally available in Q4 2008 to help operators to scale their backhaul networks.

Analytical Summary

• Current Perspective: Positive on Juniper’s announcement that it has broadened the depth and scope of its mobile backhaul support, because the new solution addresses three critical network challenges facing mobile operators as they build out their networks to support emerging broadband services. The new BX 7000 Multi-Access Gateway addresses cell site aggregation for the transport of all generations of mobile traffic over Ethernet. The new M-series Circuit Emulation Physical Interface Cards provide aggregation site support to enable operators to scale their access networks to better support significant increases in T1/E1 traffic driven by applications such as CDMA-ED-DO services. In addition, new JUNOScope enhancements provide end-to-end management and the capability to offer zero-touch deployments. The announcement is further strengthened by a customer endorsement from E-Plus Mobilfunk in Germany.

• Vendor Importance: High to Juniper, because the addition of the new capabilities goes a long way to completing its end-to-end mobile infrastructure solution and leverages its industry recognized position in IP/MPLS networking technologies to deliver highly reliable service aware capabilities. The BX7000 enables Juniper to address cell site aggregation and to provide a bridge between current services and IP-based services by supporting TDM and ATM pseudowire, ATM-IMA, MPLS and GRE. With the growth in mobile backhaul infrastructures, Juniper needed to offer a more complete solution or miss a significant revenue opportunity as operators build out their backhaul networks to support high bandwidth services.

• Market Impact: High on the mobile backhaul market, because Juniper has garnered a strong presence in mobile core and aggregation sites, which it is poised to leverage with its solution. With the launch of the BX7000 and the new M-series channelized interfaces, plus the enhancements to JunoScope management system, operators can now leverage a fully integrated end-to-end solution from a Tier 1 vendor that offers management efficiencies, the scale needed to address emerging bandwidth needs, and the preservation of existing 2G/3G assets.

Recommended Competitor Action Highlights

• Alcatel-Lucent should highlight the extensive capabilities offered within its META framework, which is backed by Release 6.0 of its IP/MPLS Service Routers, extensive management support via the 5620 SAM and by specialized mobile platforms such as the 7705 SAR and 9500 MRP that are purpose built to support mobile backhaul and RAN aggregation requirements.

• Cisco should highlight its portfolio offering for mobile operators, which includes fixed mobile convergence, extensive next generation IP/MPLS, RAN aggregation and access, and its service exchange framework for mobile solutions.

• Ericsson should highlight the capabilities it offers mobile operators on a global basis and stress its leadership in providing end-to-end solutions for many large and small operators.

• Nokia Siemens Networks should highlight the extensive portfolio of mobile backhaul and RAN aggregation solutions that it offers, which includes products such as the hiD6600 series Ethernet switches, products added through its recent Atrica acquisition, packet-based wireless backhaul devices, and the global reach and capabilities of its professional services organization.

• All vendors who supply equipment for mobile backhaul applications should clearly highlight the value propositions they offer with their best-of-breed solutions. They should show how they can inter-work with Juniper’s router-based solutions. Given the variability in backhaul and RAN infrastructures, there is ample opportunity to co-exist with the solutions offered by Juniper and other Tier 1 vendors.

• Best-of-breed microwave vendors should take the opportunity to integrate or partner with Juniper to include their wireless solutions as part of Juniper’s overall mobile backhaul solution. Various vehicles could be explored, such as Juniper’s Partner integration programs or simple joint marketing arrangements.

Recommended End User Actions

• Operators currently using Juniper mobile core and aggregation solutions should find that the new enhancements are a natural extension to the current solutions. They should begin testing and qualifying the features in their networks. The new features could enable them to address additional areas of cell site optimization, and JunoScope could help to further reduce OpEx.

• Operators who are currently in the design-study phases should overlay the features and capabilities offered by the JunoScope framework, with the new M-series CES interface modules, plus the new BX 7000. These operators can begin to consider transforming much of their legacy infrastructure toward an all-IP model and achieve OpEx savings while retaining their current service offerings.

• Operators should press Juniper and other suppliers to provide a complete wireline and wireless backhaul solution that extends the value proposition of solutions to include integrated management and pre-integrated transport solutions.

CLIENTS ONLY

Current Perspective

Competitive Positives and Concerns

Recommended Vendor Actions

Recommended Competitor Actions (All)

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