Company

Redback Networks Inc., designs, develops, and markets networking solutions for IP based services and communications. Redback's hardware, software, and services are designed to create solutions that address the operational and technical challenges of building a next generation network that delivers consumer and business services. Redback's solutions enable carriers and service providers to rapidly and efficiently deploy broadband internet access, IP video, and online gaming with the SmartEdge® product portfolio. Redback Networks was founded in 1996 and was acquired by Ericsson in January 2007.

Market

Service providers have come to realize that IP allows them to reduce their operational expenses drastically by consolidating multiple service networks into a single broadband network. At the same time they understand that to maximize revenue and income from their subscribers they are required to offer new services. The key opportunity lies in effectuating the personalized and interactive nature of broadband and IP.

The market will be dominated by broadband as the key application delivery technology for consumers and businesses, while IP is the unified communications protocol. The combination of broadband and IP enable every service provider to offer the full suite of residential and business services, including video, voice and data. This creates the opportunity for incumbent operators to offer a range of new services beyond traditional voice and internet access enabling new sources of income.

At the same time the new technologies have leveled the playing field for non-incumbent service providers to compete directly with the incumbent operators. As a result, competition among broadband service providers has further intensified and has resulted in the most dynamic communications market to date.

Products

Redback's SmartEdge portfolio offers intelligent networking devices designed to simplify and to speed the deployment of broadband services, to provide a scalable operational model for managing subscribers, and to enable the creation of new value-added services. The SmartEdge portfolio consists of a range of hardware and software products to support functions, such as:

• Ethernet Aggregation
• IP Edge Routing
• Subscriber Management

With a focus on resiliency, performance and flexibility, the SmartEdge product portfolio enables service providers of any size to deliver next generation IP services.

The SmartEdge product portfolio has been designed from the ground up to deliver the scalability, reliability and operational ease that carriers and service providers demand to provide next generation broadband services. The SmartEdge Multi-Service Edge Router platform is deployed by service providers aggregating subscriber traffic coming from a DSLAM, Fiber node, Cable Head-end or wireless station. From this position in the network, the Multi-Service Edge Router utilizes both static and dynamic policy rules to associate individual subscribers to the appropriate content at a guaranteed level of quality of service (QOS). The SmartEdge Multi-Service Edge Router platform combines the functions of high density Ethernet aggregation, edge routing and subscriber management offering the carriers and service providers a uniform platform to provide next generation IP based services in a scalable, reliable and cost-effective fashion. Combined with Redback's suite of management products, consisting of NetOp™ Element Manager and NetOp Policy Manager, operating the network and deploying new broadband services has never been easier. The result is a Smart Broadband Network that is personalized, adaptive and efficient.

Efficient Architecture and Services Delivery

Differentiation

As a single integrated unit, the SmartEdge Multi-Service Edge Router platform solves a number of problems that would normally require multiple devices; it integrates the Ethernet aggregation, IP routing and subscriber management functions that would typically be found in three separate network devices. As such it reduces operational effort and the associated costs and simplifies the deployment of new services in a controllable and reliable way. Redback then goes beyond these individual devices and enables new capabilities and services, including:

• Single service control point for all services reduces operational effort and simplifies integration into existing operations model and OSS environment
• High availability architecture certifies mission critical applications such as voice and television
• Modular operating systems ensures a rapid time to market for new features and functions
• Fully programmable 2nd generation Broadband IP Engine enables new hardware functions and expanded capacity without the need to purchase and install new hardware systems
• Scalability along three axis subscribers, services and bandwidth without trade-off
• Low cost of operations with the ability to manage subscribers, accounts, bandwidth, and services dynamically (dynamic service selection)
• Efficient, secure, and cost-effective support of the wholesale transport model
• High return on investment through innovative service creation capabilities
• Multi-vendor and multi-technology (DSL, cable, wireless, FTTx, ATM, frame relay) interoperability

The result of this strategy is a Smart Broadband Network that's Personalized, Adaptive and Efficient.

Customers

Redback serves over 500 service provider customers in the world, including 15 of the top 20 broadband service providers. Key customers include incumbent carriers such as BellSouth, AT&T, Verizon, British Telecom, France Telecom, KPN, Belgacom, Turk Telekom, TeliaSonera, Bezeq, Korea Telecom, Chunghwa Telecom, China Telecom and China Netcom. Additionally many CLECs, IXCs, and ISPs belong to Redback's global customer base including Sprint, Arcor, Covad, eAccess, Hanaro Telecom, Golden Belt Telephone Association, MegaPath, Neuf Telecom, Scarlet Telecom, Tele2 and True Corporation.

Distribution

Redback markets, distributes and supports its products directly through its worldwide field operations, strategic global partners and regional distribution resellers. The contact details of Redback's area headquarters are