NewEdge adds MPLS

Competitive broadband player NewEdge Networks today announced that it is adding multi-protocol label switching to its business virtual private network service to enable guaranteed bandwidth for IP-based services. The NewEdge broadband offering, known as BigFoot, promises broadband access at any business address in the U.S. and Canada, most of which is delivered via DSL.

NewEdge President and CEO Dan Moffat said combining MPLS, which enables applications to receive specific quality of service treatment within a single broadband connection, is "one more step down the road to converged IP."

The Vancouver, Wash.-based CLEC waited to deploy MPLS until it was certain of product maturity, he added.

"Right now we're on the left side of the product lifecycle for IP services," said Moffat. "We are still in the beginning stages. For things like IP-VPN, VoIP, we're figuring a lot of things out. As we get better at handling IP, we'll be better able to deliver those services."

NewEdge will provide MPLS-based IP services over its national ATM network, using Alcatel 7670 routing-switch platforms. The company can reach 80% of business addresses using DSL and accommodates the remaining 20% with frame relay or other type of access. It specializes in providing IP VPNs.

Providing MPLS-based service will enables business customers to use voice over IP or other latency-sensitive services and know that the services will operate properly even during times of congestion or bandwidth contention.