Telefónica Móviles Selects Cisco IP RAN Optimization for GSM and UMTS Backhaul in Spain

Deployment Proves to be Successful in Reducing Costs while Accelerating Rollouts.

SAN JOSE, Calif., February 14, 2006 - Cisco Systems® today announced that Telefónica Móviles Espana, the leading mobile operator in Spain and one of the largest in the world, has decided to deploy Cisco’s IP-based RAN (Radio Access Network) optimization solution in their GSM and UMTS networks. This represents the first mobile operator deployment of the Cisco IP RAN optimization solution in the world.

“The technical leaders of Telefónica Móviles understand that introducing IP into their RAN readies their network for the future,” said Larry Lang, vice president and general manager, Mobile Wireless Group at Cisco Systems. “The good news is that with Cisco’s IP RAN optimization, investing for the future makes good business sense right now. Operators can use Cisco’s industry-leading IP technology to cut GSM backhaul costs and accelerate 3G deployments today, while creating infrastructure ready for exciting new broadband radio technologies, which are ideal for the business and entertainment services of tomorrow.”
The RAN Backhaul Challenge

For mobile operators, one of the greatest costs in delivering mobile services is the deployment and management of radio access backhaul networks that connect cell-sites to the core. Most mobile operators lease their backhaul network lines, which are typically circuit-oriented T1/E1 trunks that are part of a large network with thousands of cell sites. The operating expenses (OpEx) of leasing these lines can greatly add up. Compounding this, T1/E1s are often not available in the desired timeframe, resulting in costly delays of new service launches. Even operators that use microwave backhaul need help fitting growing traffic into existing lines. Mobile operators need a solution that maximizes existing backhaul capacity so they can quickly expand their network while reducing backhaul operating costs. This is why Telefónica Móviles teamed with Cisco and their IP RAN optimization solution for their GSM and 3G backhaul.
GSM and 3G Backhaul Efficiency via Cisco IP RAN Optimization

Cisco IP RAN optimization enables mobile operators to economically add new radio technologies, such as R99/R4 UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service), and HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access), while delivering a common next-generation, efficient, multiservice IP backhaul. The industry-leading solution includes a Cisco Mobile Wireless Edge Router (MWR) to optimize, aggregate and transparently transport mixed-generation voice, data and video over existing backhaul networks via IP and the Cisco Mobile Wireless Transport Manager (MWTM) to provide full monitoring of the solution. In this scenario, the Cisco IP RAN optimization solution typically results in a 40 percent efficiency gain, which means avoiding the expense of additional T1/E1 lines and accelerating deployments by making better use of the existing backhaul capacity. Along with saving time and money today, the Cisco IP RAN optimization solution prepares operators for the future. For example, R99/R4 compliant UMTS and HSDPA traffic can be offloaded to a broadband or Ethernet-based network, thus taking advantage of the backhaul media independent properties of IP.
Telefonica Móviles’s Deployments

Telefónica Móviles’s deployments will include GSM and 3G cell sites in Madrid and Barcelona. Telefónica Móviles has seen significant savings in their backhaul by optimizing both GSM and 3G across a shared IP backhaul link.

The Cisco IP RAN optimization Solution for GSM and 3G networks is available now. More information about Cisco’s complete mobile wireless solutions can be found at: www.cisco.com/go/mobile.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.

# # #

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. 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.

Contact Information

Chris McKie

Press Contact

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Contact via E-mail