GCI deploys Juniper Networks’ SD-WAN for exploring new markets

Juniper Networks has announced that GCI, Alaska’s largest telecommunications company, has deployed Juniper’s Contrail SD-WAN to rapidly create innovative new service offerings and expand into new markets with its virtual managed service platform, CloudFlex SD-WAN.

GCI’s CloudFlex, enabled by Juniper’s Contrail SD-WAN comprised of Contrail Service Orchestration, the NFX250 Network Services Platform, the SRX Series Services Gateway and the vSRX Virtual Firewall, allows the telecommunications leader to offer enterprises new services, such as managed SD-WAN, managed security and other virtual network functions in the future without needing to install physical appliances on-site and dispatching humans to provision the service. This new level of automation, based on centralized orchestration with end-to-end automation, will allow GCI to expand into regions across the United States, where it previously could not with a hardware-centric network. With Juniper, GCI expects to reduce provisioning times for its customers by more than half and simplify operations by cutting service-fulfilment costs by more than 60 per cent.

“Service providers simply cannot rely on selling only connectivity to drive growth in a world where customers demand contextual services that add real value to their business or personal lives,” said Sally Bament, Vice-President, service provider marketing at Juniper Networks. “Those that don’t move up the value chain will get left behind in this evolving reality, but it’s not as simple as flipping a switch. And, the network shouldn’t be a hindrance to getting there. We’re thrilled to work with GCI on reinventing their network and infusing automation so it can play a crucial role in the next generation of telecommunications.”