Siemens wins two orders from South Africa's Neotel, Juniper to supply core network routers

MARCH 16, 2007 ? The South African Second National Operator (SNO) Neotel, Johannesburg, has commissioned Siemens Networks (search for Siemens) to build a nationwide IP core network and a DWDM transport network. Siemens has partnered with Juniper Networks (search for Juniper Networks) to deploy the IP network. Neotel's investment in high-performance network technologies is targeted at offering residential and business customers high-quality, low-cost multimedia communications services.

Siemens Networks in South Africa (Siemens Telecommunications) will build the cutting-edge IP core network for Neotel. To ensure high end-to-end quality, Neotel is also investing in a DWDM transport network, enabling transfer rates of 40 Gbits per wavelength, with each fiber-optic cable providing 80 wavelengths. Juniper will supply its M- and T-series IP routers, including the T640 core router, to be integrated in the core network.

Apart from this network partnership, Neotel and Siemens Telecommunications have also launched a joint education initiative in South Africa, intended to create a highly qualified workforce that will boost modernization of the telecommunications sector in South Africa. Siemens founded its own Telecommunications Training Institute in Johannesburg 6 years ago, turning out more than 300 graduates with a degree that qualifies them to work in the telecommunications sector.