Vodafone Malta Deploys Tellabs® 8600 Smart Routers to Launch LTE Service

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Vodafone Malta has commercially launched its 4G LTE service, supported by a 10 Gbps Ethernet backhaul network using Tellabs^® 8600 Smart Routers.

Vodafone Malta owns its own backhaul network, which consists mainly of 10 Gbps connections over fiber. The new solution comprises Tellabs^® 8660 Smart Routers, Tellabs^® 8630 Smart Routers and Tellabs Ethernet Line Card (ELC1) cards, all managed by the Tellabs^® 8000 Intelligent Network Manager.

New solution passes rigorous Vodafone testing process

As part of the deal, the Tellabs products were evaluated by the Vodafone Technology Network group, which conducts rigorous tests on behalf of various Vodafone companies.

"The capabilities we wanted were scalability, ease of management, IP-MPLS capability and support for IEEE 1588 synchronization capability," said Geoffrey Cauchi, IP and Transport Network Manager for Vodafone Malta. "Tellabs met all of our criteria. Their solution offers features and capabilities that suit our current and future requirements."

Tellabs supports the network design and roll-out

Tellabs Professional Services team also helped Vodafone Malta plan and install the Tellabs-based mobile backhaul network. "From our initial discussion, they had a very good understanding of our network and they provided Vodafone with an excellent network design," said Cauchi.

Tarcisio Ribeiro, Vice President and General Manager, Tellabs EMEA said, "We are pleased to work with Vodafone Malta to launch LTE and support their end-users' quality of experience."

In 2014, Vodafone Malta plans to move its 2G and 3G traffic onto the Tellabs-based mobile backhaul network. When that migration is completed, Vodafone Malta's backhaul network will be all-IP, with TDM traffic carried over IP.

About Vodafone Malta

Vodafone Malta is the leading wireless network operator in Malta. For more information, visit www.vodafone.com.mt.

About Tellabs
Tellabs innovations advance smart networks to help our customers succeed. That's why 80% of the top global communications service providers choose our mobile backhaul, packet optical, Optical LAN and services solutions and applications. We help them get ahead by adding revenue, reducing expenses and optimizing networks. www.tellabs.com

SOURCE Tellabs