RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- Overture Networks, a leading developer of converged packet access platforms, today announced that THUS plc is deploying the ISG product family to help deliver its business-class Ethernet services to customers seeking a wide range of bandwidth speeds.

Delivering Ethernet services is nothing new at THUS. It has been offering business-class Ethernet utilizing LES (LAN Extension Services) circuits as a cost-effective method of increasing their effective service area for the delivery of 10/100/1,000 megabit Ethernet. With the success of these services, THUS has been seeking to deliver sub-10 megabit Ethernet to customers with lower bandwidth requirements and to reach sites that cannot be connected using LES. THUS discovered that with a combination of E1 lines, the Overture Networks' ISG 180 and Multilink Point-to-Point (MLPPP) to bond these circuits together they could now offer a 2 megabit to 16 megabit logical bundle, all presented on the same Ethernet interface. In addition, these new lower speed service offerings maintain the same service level and management capabilities required by THUS's customer base.

"Using the ISGs from Overture Networks extends our ability to deliver differentiated Ethernet services to smaller customer sites over a single or multiple E1s while maintaining stringent SLAs (Service Level Agreements)," said Mark Bennett, Product Manager for THUS plc. "We can also offer attractively-priced Ethernet services where LES doesn't exist or is too cost-prohibitive to use. Another important advantage is that THUS can connect sites with an enhanced level of resilience utilizing a range of access methods."

In addition to the new 2 to 16 megabit service offerings, THUS is also providing 45 megabit services using the Overture Networks' ISG 45. This new service offers customers a cost-effective "bridge" between the standard 10 and 100 megabit LES offerings.

"Providers have begun extending their service offerings to reach customers in more diverse locations, " said Chip Redden, vice president of marketing and product management for Overture Networks. "Not every customer needs or can afford the price points commonly offered for 10, 100 or 1,000 megabits of Ethernet service. Taking advantage of Overture Networks' ability to bond the copper already in place to deliver differentiated and managed Ethernet services means that providers like THUS can now offer their customers a range of solutions—no matter where their offices are located."

Overture Networks Inc.