Cisco Systems(R) (NASDAQ:CSCO) announced today that
Flemish cable operator Interkabel has chosen Cisco(R) Internet
Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) technology to upgrade its
cable network to provide interactive broadband services and multimedia
applications such as IP television and video surveillance. The
improvements will result in a hundred-fold increase in available
bandwidth and will also help enable Interkabel to more quickly and
efficiently deliver new services to its customers.
"Toward the end of 2004, we were the first provider to launch a
digital television package in Flanders," said Rudy Nys, spokesman for
Interkabel. "Because we are looking to further our pioneering role in
this field, we are investing in a future-proof network capable of
supporting next-generation broadband services, such as IP television,
via cable."
Interkabel is made up of four cable companies: Integan,
Interelecra, PBE and WBEM. Together they account for a third of the
Flemish cable market, with some 790,000 households served.
Interkabel's new ultra-high-speed digital services will be provided to
its consumer customers and local government customers, as well as
being deployed throughout Interkabel's internal departments.
Interkabel's network upgrade includes Cisco uBR10012 Universal
Broadband Routers, which will serve as the digital data backbone for
the network. Interkabel will also be deploying Cisco aggregation
switches and the Cisco Broadband Access Center for Cable provisioning
system. The installation is being performed by systems integrator and
Cisco Gold Certified Partner Dimension Data. Interkabel expects the
project to be completed by the end of this year.
"It's an appropriate illustration of Interkabel's pioneering
spirit that Interkabel will be one of the first European users of
Cisco's new wideband protocol for DOCSIS(R) technology, a forerunner
of the EuroDOCSIS 3.0 standard," said Luc Vanbecelaere, service
provider business development manager for Cisco Systems Belgium. "This
technology makes speeds in excess of 600 Mbps to a single household
possible. In concrete terms, that means 100 times the current
bandwidth. This enormous increase in bandwidth will help Interkabel to
provide a range of new and exciting broadband services."
About Interkabel
Interkabel is made up of four companies: Integan, Interelecra, PBE
and WBEM and serves approximately 790,000 households.
About Dimension Data
Dimension Data plc (LSE:DDT), a specialist IT services and
solution provider, helps clients plan, build and support their IT
infrastructures. Dimension Data applies its expertise in networking,
security, operating environments, storage and contact centre
technologies and its unique skills in consulting, integration and
managed services to create customised client solutions. More
information can be found at http://www.dimensiondata.com
About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking
for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at
http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to
http://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in Europe is supplied by
Cisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco
Systems, Inc.
Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered
trademarks or trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates
in the United States and certain other countries. DOCSIS is a
registered trademark of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. All other
trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their
respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a
partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. This
document is Cisco Public Information.
