Redback releases new SMS platform

Redback Networks officials blamed poor revenue in its latest quarter on the economic conditions and its customers waiting for the new SMS 10000 SL. Today, Redback announced that the much-awaited new release will be generally available this quarter.

The new release is supposed to have added software features and high packet processing power to enhance service provider’s infrastructure. Upgrades can be made directly to the SMS 10000 platforms. Essentially, the new release accommodates for larger subscriber growth and can prevent forklift upgrades. The SL release also sports a new forwarding plane architecture to boost performance of broadband applications.

Redback developed the new platform over the last 16 to 18 months based on feedback from RBOCs, according to Shailesh Shukla, vice president of marketing and business development for Redback. The product is being tested by Belgacom in Belgium, Asia and in North America, according to Shukla.

“It allows [providers] to protect their existing SMS platform because they don’t need a forklift upgrade and it allows them to drive new revenue,” Shukla said. “It gives them a pay as you grow approach.”

Redback primarily competes with Cisco Systems and Juniper via its Unisphere acquisition for market share.

“Cisco is far behind on the broadband subscribers market,” Shukla said.