Juniper Networks (JNPR) today announced it has been awarded the largest share of the contract for China Telecom's next-generation backbone network.

"We're proud to have been selected as the sole IP router vendor for China Telecom's CN2 national core and South China provincial backbone network," said Jim Dolce, executive vice president, Worldwide Field Operations, Juniper Networks. "When fully deployed with our routing platforms, which enable a secure and assured network, CN2 will have built the foundation of an Infranet that combines the ubiquitous connectivity of the Internet with the assured performance and security of a private network."

China Telecom will deploy the T640, T320 and M320 routing platforms in the network, which is also known as ChinaNet Next Carrying Network (CN2). The platforms will provide Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) in the network infrastructure, enabling China Telecom to offer a wide variety of advanced IP services including Virtual Private Networking (VPN), high-quality IP voice and video streaming. In addition, CN2 will support IPv6 addressing and finer control over network traffic routing, quality of service and third-generation (3G) mobile applications to China Telecom's mobile subscriber base.

The M- and T-series platforms deliver advanced high availability features, such as Graceful Restart and Fast Re-route, with the modular JUNOS operating system for complete fault-tolerance and scalability. The high-performance routing platforms provide high density aggregation at the network core with support for Gigabit Ethernet, SONET/SDH and other high-speed interfaces.

The T640 routing platform is architected utilizing Juniper Networks' third generation of high-density silicon and enables a breakthrough in service provider economics. It offers seamless multi-terabit scaling, while significantly reducing capital and operational costs.