BUCHAREST, Romania -- Romanian telecommunications leader Radiocomunicatii is implementing a Multiprotocol Label Switching and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (MPLS/ATM) backbone network to link 40 Romanian towns and provide nationwide Internet Protocol (IP) data services to businesses by the end of the year. The new network will allow Radiocomunicatii to cost-effectively offer business users throughout Romania basic Internet connectivity and a wide range of IP services, including IP virtual private networks (VPNs), videoconferencing, IP telephony and international voice over IP.The validity of the MPLS/ATM solution, which is built with technology from Cisco Systems, is already proven by a pilot spanning Bucharest and six other Romanian cities.By the end of 2002, Radiocomunicatii and Cisco Systems, working with the Cisco technology, had linked seven cities including Bucharest via an MPLS/ATM backbone. This project proved to Radiocomunicatii decision makers, government leaders and investors that the solution was technically viable, and well suited to the needs of Romania. The success of the pilot project convinced Radiocomunicatii to implement a nationwide MPLS/ATM backbone in December 2002. Deployment of the backbone linking 40 towns is under way. Harris Corporation is the prime contractor on the project."Cisco has contributed much more than hardware. During the pilot, Cisco helped demonstrate the benefits of superimposing an MPLS layer on the basic ATM backbone‹an addition that enables the network to carry more traffic while assuring quality of service. By demonstrating the market opportunities that the infrastructure would provide, such as the opportunity to offer a voice-over-IP service, Cisco was also able to help Radiocomunicatii build a more convincing business case for the backbone," said Ion Dorobantu, development executive director of Radiocomunicatii.Cisco Systems Inc.