Page 41 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

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BT Sparks Network Transformation for Rexel

BT has successfully completed the
implementation of a new software defined
wide area network (SD-WAN) for Rexel, a
leading distributor of electrical products,
connecting more than 50 sites throughout
Germany. The agreement for provision
and management of the network is the
latest development in a relationship
that spans more than 15 years. The
new network, based on Meraki SD-WAN
technology, will allow Rexel to combine the
benefits of different network technologies
to achieve the ideal balance between throughout Europe, the Americas and Rexel with our SD-WAN solution, which
security, resilience, flexibility and cost. Asia-Pacific. As part of an ongoing plan offers simplicity to customers looking to
Mission-critical and sensitive data will be to optimize its global network, the Group capitalize on the latest network technology
transferred using dedicated connectivity, is planning to roll out SD-WAN technology to support their digital transformation.
based on BT’s multiprotocol label switching to further countries. Wolfgang Tomischek, It provides our customers with a better
(MPLS) network. Less critical traffic will IT Director at Rexel in Germany, said: “Our understanding of the demands on their
be routed over the Internet. Using a self- customers place their orders via multiple network, and lets them control and
service portal, the customer’s ICT team channels — using the online shop, fax priorities the data traffic. And it offers a
will be able to choose which connection to and phone — and expect us to deliver plug-and-play approach to installing new
use for each of its business applications, within hours. We have chosen BT because sites backed by BT’s expertise in design,
optimizing cost and service reliability. The secure, reliable connectivity is key for our set-up, implementation and network
management portal also provides better business, and we need a partner who can management.” Connect Meraki SD-WAN
visibility of data flows across the network. deliver the solution on a global scale, as we is part of BT’s wide-reaching Dynamic
Managed security services, including are part of an international group. The new, Network Services program, designed to
hardware and software-based firewalls, hybrid solution will give us more flexibility give customers more choice, security,
are an integral part of the new network and control and help us control the cost at resilience, service and agility in the roll-
design. The next step is to migrate the local the same time.” Joris van Oers, Managing out of future networks based on the latest
area network (LAN) to Meraki technology Director, Resources, Manufacturing & software defined networking (SDN) and
as well, providing Rexel with end-to-end Logistics and regional MD for Europe network functions virtualization (NFV)
visibility and control of the entire network. at BT, said: “We are proud to support technologies.
The Rexel Group operates in 26 countries

BT Launches 5G Services, Plans in U.K.

BT launched 5G services across more than which customers on the current 200 GB not yet happened. The operator said its
20 towns and cities in the U.K., riding on plan will be moved over to. BT Mobile’s network would hit 20 towns and cities by
BT-owned mobile operator EE’s network. 5G uses 3.4 GHz spectrum, and requires the end of 2019 and expand to 30 additional
EE turned on commercial 5G services in a compatible device. The mobile brand locations by next summer. To speed up
Britain in May, and BT’s service rollout is offering a range of handsets including and help reduce the cost of rolling out 5G,
includes existing EE 5G locations. 5G on BT the Samsung Note 10 5G, Galaxy S10 Vodafone and O2 inked an earlier network
Mobile is now available in parts of Belfast, 5G, OnePlus 7 Pro, Huawei Mate 20 X 5G, sharing agreement that it includes sharing
Birmingham, Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh, and Oppo Reno 5G. The carrier said 5G 5G gear, such as radio equipment on joint
Leicester, London, and Manchester, with service has the potential to hit peak gigabit sites across the U.K. Like EE, O2 is using
plans to expand to additional cities by speeds, but that customers should expect spectrum in the 3.4 GHz band, which the
year-end. BT Mobile is initially offering an average speed increase of about 150 operator won last year at the U.K’.s 5G
5G service to its BT Plus broadband Mbps. In addition to EE, rival Vodafone U.K spectrum auction for EUR 318 million ($354
customers, who subscribe to both home .also launched its 5G network in Britain this million). U.K operator Three, meanwhile,
and mobile packages. Customers can summer, initially starting with seven major has touted its millimeter wave spectrum
choose from four data plans ranging from cities. Telefónica-owned British mobile assets, claiming it has twice as much 5G
13 GB to 200 GB, starting around $50 operator O2 in late July said it would roll spectrum as its closest competitor. Three
per month. Next month, the company is out 5G services in select areas of Belfast, promised to rollout 5G fixed wireless home
debuting a combined 5G mobile and home Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Slough, and broadband services and mobile 5G across
broadband unlimited plan called BT Halo, Leeds in October, but an official launch as 25 markets this year.
41 OCTOBER 2019