SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Redback Networks, an Ericsson company (NASDAQ: ERIC) that develops IP-based routers and switches for 75+ percent of the world’s largest telephone carriers, today introduced a new line of smart Ethernet switches to accelerate the unification of fixed and mobile networks.

Redback is introducing the SM 480, a smart Ethernet switch for fixed and mobile carriers. The new product addresses a $4.7+ billion metro Ethernet market (Heavy Reading). The smart Ethernet switch will be the first in a family of carrier Ethernet products from Redback and Ericsson with future terabit switching capacity over time. The SM series is designed to simplify network architectures, lower carrier costs, and unify networks for fixed and mobile carriers.

“Operators worldwide are embracing carrier Ethernet switch/routers as solutions of choice for packet-based network and service convergence,” said Stan Hubbard, a senior analyst at communications research firm, Heavy Reading. “With the introduction of the SM 480, Redback appears well positioned to help accelerate global adoption of carrier Ethernet in metro networks to support fast-growing, Ethernet-based business, residential triple-play, and mobile backhaul services.”

Redback Networks Inc.