LONDON -- COLT, a leading European provider of business communications, today announced it has launched the first phase of its next generation network (NGN) deployment, going live with its Ethernet-based multi-service platform (MSP) layer and enhanced application-enabling Softswitch layer for customers across Europe.As well as enhancing the customer experience today, this deployment is central to delivering COLT’s next generation solutions (NGS) strategy that will combine the next generation network and COLT’s 18 data centres into a single virtualised system. NGS will give customers greater simplicity, choice and flexibility in communications and managed services.

With its next generation network, COLT is moving from technology silos supporting each product set to a fully redundant, highly efficient, three-layer infrastructure based on IP and Ethernet transport, session control through an advanced Softswitch and an application layer that will allow COLT to deliver existing and new services as easy-to-install applications over this single network.

COLT is deploying the MSP in a phased approach based on customer demand. In this first phase, the MSP is available to customers in London, Paris and Frankfurt and supports COLT Ethernet services, COLT IPVPN access and COLT IP Access. Future phases will see the MSP rolled out throughout COLT’s entire European network over the next twelve months.

Rakesh Bhasin, Chief Executive Officer, COLT said: “This first deployment of next generation solutions marks a milestone in our evolution to enable us to deliver the best possible network and communication solutions for our customers and provide them with an outstanding customer experience. Our next generation network will provide our customers with the high levels of service and security that they have come to expect from COLT and enable them to take advantage of the performance benefits of the new technology deployment from today.”

Colt Technology Services Group Ltd