Cisco to Design Italian Network

MILAN, Italy -- Albacom, the first and largest alternative telecommunications operator in Italy today announced they have chosen Italtel and Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for the internet, to design and provide the technology for a new IP-MPLS backbone. Italtel, the systems integrator, will be managing the design of the network, incorporating a high level of reliability, flexibility and openness. Cisco's high capacity Cisco 12000 Series Internet Routers, will be installed in the three main POPs (Point Of Presence) nodes in Rome, Milan and Bologna, as well as in other city sites, which will represent the axis of the IP backbone, in addition to the Cisco 7500 Series Routers already installed on the whole network. The IP-MPLS technology will allow Albacom to improve its VPN (Virtual Private Network) services, such as multimedia services for voice, video and broadband data connections for third generation mobile telephony networks. "The agreement with Albacom represents a significant success for our company - said Patrizia Grieco, General Manager, Italtel - as it allows us to help the growth process not just for the network infrastructure, but also for the value-added services available through them." Cisco Systems Inc.