Laurel Networks Drops in on Video

PITTSBURGH -- Laurel Networks(R), Inc. today announced a new "drop-in" IP Video Routing Solution(TM) designed to meet the needs of DSL access providers who want to begin offering video services. Based on Laurel's widely deployed ST200(TM) broadband services router, the IP Video Routing Solution enables highly-reliable broadcast IPTV and VoD (Video on Demand) services alongside high-speed Internet and voice services. Laurel's drop-in Video Routing Solution not only allows instant delivery of video over existing ATM-based DSL aggregation networks, it supports subscriber management and gigabit Ethernet port density to allow transition to higher-speed, Ethernet-based DSL network architectures.

"With local voice services coming under increasing competitive pressure, ILECs and PTTs are seeking a path to continuously increase average revenue per user (ARPU) on their IP broadband networks through on-demand IP multimedia services. Our drop-in IP Video Routing Solution enables the first step along the path by breaking through the cost, capacity, and reliability barriers of introducing video on legacy B-RAS platforms," said Steve Vogelsang, vice president of marketing. "Once in place, our ST-series(TM) broadband service routers create a dynamic IP communication port to each subscriber enabling virtually unlimited service expansion."

As the foundation for the new "drop-in" IP Video Routing Solution, Laurel's ST200 broadband services router provides the high scalability needed to reliably meet the bandwidth demands of delivering video services. Laurel has enhanced this platform with a new Ethernet-optimized network processing blade that can deliver 10 gigabits per second of wire-speed performance and a complementary high-density 10-port gigabit Ethernet physical interface card. As DSL access networks transition from ATM to IP, Laurel's gigabit Ethernet port density will allow direct connectivity to new Ethernet-based DSLAMs as well as provide high-speed connectivity to the IP backbone. For service providers who want to consolidate their networks immediately, the B-RAS capabilities of the Laurel platform allow it to be deployed as a combined video router/Internet service platform.

Laurel Networks Inc.