Agreement follows major network upgrades and investment program
Humanitarian organisation, Australian Red Cross, has signed a three year deal with Primus Telecom, a part of Primus Telecommunications Group, Inc. (NYSE: PTGi), to provide a data network solution to its network of branch offices and other sites across Australia. The agreement will see Primus delivering service to 83 sites initially with potential for up to a further 180 sites to come online. Primus anticipates some of these additional sites to come online in 2012 and expects the deal value to ultimately exceed $1 million.
Primus has designed a fully managed Private IP Network (PIPN) for Australian Red Cross, which will include a meshed MPLS network core, capable of integrating voice, data and video traffic on a single platform. The PIPN will ensure that in the event of natural disaster, the network’s bandwidth can be rapidly increased to support Australian Red Cross requirements. The solution will support both ‘Open Shortest Path First’ and ‘Border Gateway’ protocols, and provides 50Mbps internet bandwidth with an unlimited data plan.
“We were impressed with Primus’ ability to deliver a technical solution which offered the optimal solution for our current objectives and requirements with the future-proof security of a fully-scalable network,” said Warren Don, Director Information Technology, Australian Red Cross. “As a rapid response organisation, we value the provision of Primus’ end-to-end account management and help desk, which adds another layer of confidence and expertise to their impressive service delivery.”
Australian Red Cross undertook an extensive strategic review of its communications needs as it extended its reach and activities within Australia. The review was designed to upgrade its existing telecommunication and data platforms and ensure that it upgraded to a fully-managed and secure solution that would readily scale to meet the ever increasing demands on its IT solutions as the Australian Red Cross works to improve the lives of vulnerable people within Australia and internationally. The deal was secured following Primus’ recently announced upgrade and investment in its metro fibre network.
“The agreement with Primus will significantly enhance Red Cross’s current communications infrastructure and allow it to both streamline its operations and offer an improved level of quality and reliability to its Australian network of offices and stakeholders, “ said Tom Mazerski, Primus Australia CEO. “Our recent investment in upgrading our fibre network further boosts our reputation for excellence as we seek to become the communications partner of choice for a growing number of Australian organisations who demand the very best platform service delivery to further their business objectives.”
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About Red Cross http://redcross.org.au
Australian Red Cross is part of the world's largest humanitarian organisation, with millions of volunteers worldwide in more than 180 countries. The Movement's mission is to prevent and reduce human suffering, wherever it is found, guided by principles such humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. To find out more, visit redcross.org.au.
About Primus Australiahttp://www.primus.com.au
Primus Australia is part of Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (PTGi) and is one of Australia’s largest telecommunications carriers. It offers a range of Business and Residential services across Australia, including data, broadband, VOIP, Mobile, Telephone and Data Centre services. Primus Telecom provides nationwide coverage through a combination of its own and leased network components. Primus Telecom has deployed its own backbone network with facilities in all states and territories, and operates 290+ DSLAM exchanges across Australia. Primus operates its own fibre network in the five major capital cities, delivering a range of business direct-connect services including Hosted IP PBX services, IP, Ethernet, ATM, ISDN, high speed broadband, data centre and inbound and outbound voice services.
About PTGi http://www.ptgi.com
PTGi (Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated) is a leading provider of advanced communication solutions, including broadband Internet, traditional and IP voice, data, mobile services, collocation, hosting, and outsourced managed services to business and residential customers in the United States, Canada, and Australia. PTGi is also one of the leading international wholesale service providers to telecommunications carriers worldwide. PTGi owns and operates its own global network of next-generation IP soft switches, media gateways, hosted IP/SIP platforms, broadband infrastructure, fiber capacity, and data centers located in Canada, and Australia. Founded in 1994, PTGi is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.