A proof of concept trial involving Ericsson's ENGINE multi-service network solution has been successfully completed, and Telstra has selected it for the network supporting the majority of its customers, according to Ericsson, which has sent out a press release confirming the venture.
Designed for real-time services, ENGINE is capable of carrying large volumes of IP-based traffic and will build new or migrate operators' current circuit-switched networks into a single next generation network, based on ATM and IP packet switching technologies, according to Ericsson.
-The main benefit in the first instance is to reduce the total cost of ownership of the network," John Young, director of Telstra Customer Unit Ericsson, told ZDNet Australia. -It costs Telstra less to acquire, less to run and they need less of them."
According to Ericsson, operating costs are reduced by 15 to 25 percent compared to running separate voice and data networks. The network solution uses combinations of IP and ATM technologies to deliver packet-based communications, and supports operator requirements from 'first mile' access to the core of the network.
-For the Telstra customer, the quality of service is the same, and the type of service will initially be the same," Young said. -We will roll out to all major capital cities in Australia, which should be completed by the end of 2003."
According to Young, Telstra and Ericsson are in discussions about which aspects of ENGINE they want to deploy next year, which could include data and video.
Telstra was caught unawares by Ericsson announcment of the trial's success and nobody was available to comment on the network rollout or the likelihood of cost savings being passed on to customers.
