NEW YORK and SAN JOSE – Verizon has implemented an innovative approach toward improving customer experience and increasing efficiency on its Intelligent Edge Network. The company is currently carrying customer traffic on part of its transport network using a new highly scalable circuit emulation solution from Cisco that can carry unprecedented bit rates. Previous circuit emulation equipment carried speeds up to OC-12, while Cisco’s new platform supports speeds up to OC-192.

Circuit emulation enables transport of conventional digital and optical signal rates over a packet-based MPLS network without impacting customer traffic — creating a smooth migration of legacy services to next-generation infrastructure and improving overall reliability.

“In the face of robust customer demand on our network, Verizon’s infrastructure systems must adapt to support current and future needs,” said Lee Hicks, vice president for network infrastructure planning for Verizon. “By implementing innovative deployments like this high-capacity circuit emulation, Verizon continues to set the bar for the highest standards of network performance and efficiency.”

Over the past few months, Verizon collaborated closely with Cisco to develop, test and implement this solution, with plans to significantly increase the number of circuits using this technology over the next 10+ years.

“This is a true architectural collaboration with Verizon. We have worked hard to deliver this unique solution that will easily enable the growth of Ethernet services while improving the reliability of mission critical TDM private line services,” said Bill Gartner, vice president, optical systems and optics, Service Provider Business, Cisco.

As part of its next-generation 100G U.S. metro network rollout, Verizon initially deployed this technology where it could aggregate multiple Ethernet and TDM circuits at the same location onto a unified high-speed circuit. With video streaming, social media, and cloud services driving increased network traffic, agile development of this type of technology solution will transform Verizon’s cost structure and deliver the best digital experience for our customers.