Telstra opens NGN test lab

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 24 August 2006 11:58

IT Industry - Strategy

Telstra has unveiled a laboratory to test and integrate the various components of its next generation IP network plans.
Telstra COO, Greg Winn, said: "Telstra's global partners - Alcatel, Cisco, Juniper, Tellabs and Ericsson - all have equipment and teams on site at the laboratory to replicate the new IP network, to test every element and fast track the rollout of new technology."

The laboratory is likely to play a key role in Telstra's network transformation plans - ambitious in scale, scope and timeframe. Plans were announced, and several vendors named at the November 15 briefing in 2005, less than five months after Trujillo cam on board.

Telstra has been much criticised for the speed of its selection process: in contrast to BT which spent several years evaluating options and suppliers before announcing the winners of its ambitious NGN migration plans.

According to Winn, "The new laboratory will conduct end-to-end testing of the IP network and associated new products, enabling their smooth integration into Telstra's network." The Integration Laboratory will also "diagnose the root cause of any major network problems and test procedures associated with network upgrades and migration," according to Telstra.

Winn said the laboratory would test "the only operational softswitch in Australia to ensure its seamless transition into the IP network." However there are many softswitches in Australia from multiple vendors, deployed by existing VoIP providers, amongst others.

Telstra say it plans to replace 116 of its existing PSTN switches with five mated pairs of Alcatel softswitches in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney by the end of 2008.