NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- Tellabs has added several new features to its Tellabs 8800 multi-service routers (MSRs) that will enable service providers to leverage their existing infrastructure to more cost-effectively address their customers' emerging data services needs.

With these enhancements, which are available now as part of feature package 3.1, the Tellabs 8800 MSR gains a unique ability to support the following MPLS-based applications on a single platform: Ethernet, IP virtual private networks (VPN), virtual private LAN services (VPLS) and Layer 2 VPNs with interworking. Ultimately, service providers will have the flexibility needed to implement any application first then layer on additional applications as demanded by the end-customer.

"We enhanced the Tellabs 8800 series of intelligent multi-service routers to provide our customers with a graceful migration path to a fully-converged data services network in a cost-effective manner," said Mike Kazban, vice president of marketing for Tellabs Advanced Data Products group. "By continuing to develop the Tellabs 8800 multi-service routers with new technology, we are advancing our leadership in offering our customers the most advanced multi-service routers in the industry."

In a separate release:

Tellabs today unveiled in North America its new Intelligent Service Edge solution that will help service providers seamlessly migrate to an optimized network and enable the delivery of profitable data services. This advanced MPLS-based network solution, which is based on the newly-enhanced Tellabs 8800 series of intelligent multi-service routers (MSRs), can help profitably migrate a service provider's network for new business data services with seamless support for existing services. The Tellabs Intelligent Service Edge solution will bring multi-service intelligence and high performance to the edge of the network -- closer to the end-customers -- for service speed and innovation, and it simplifies network complexity to help reduce capital and operating expenses.

"Today's shifting business needs are demanding new IP-enabled services that can create money-making opportunities for all types of service providers," said Jeff Schmitz, senior vice president of product line management for Tellabs North America. "The Tellabs Intelligent Service Edge solution addresses the demand for new premium IP-based services while also providing a seamless migration path for existing data services."

The Tellabs Intelligent Service Edge solution enables wireline, wireless and multiple system operators to: