KATHMANDU, August 21: Juniper Networks, a global pioneer in advanced networking technology, has announced a series of ambitious initiatives aimed at accelerating Nepal's technological progress through strategic partnerships in the Nepali market. These initiatives closely align with Nepal's growing digital aspirations and the ongoing "Digital Nepal" campaign.
Having made its entry into the Nepali market in 2012, Juniper Networks has witnessed remarkable growth within the ISP and IT services sector, particularly highlighted by the achievements of WorldLink. WorldLink, a key player in Nepal's digital landscape, has effectively utilized Juniper's networking technology expertise to drive significant advancements in connectivity and digital infrastructure.
Among Juniper's notable achievements is its collaborative venture with WorldLink to transition toward a high-performance 100GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) infrastructure. This forward-looking approach is poised to support Nepal's burgeoning internet connectivity and services sector, thus contributing significantly to the nation's overarching technological transformation.
Sajan Paul, the Managing Director and Country Manager for India and SAARC at Juniper Networks, expressed his confidence in Nepal's current adoption of networking technology. Paul highlighted Juniper's substantial presence in internet connectivity and its deployment of cutting-edge technology within the region.
‘WordLink using Juniper networking solutions’
"Juniper Networks commands a significant market share in the realm of internet connectivity. Our deployment of state-of-the-art, globally recognized technology in Nepal adheres to international standards, ensuring seamless opportunities for expansion with prudent investments. The enduring quality of our infrastructure equipment attests to its exceptional nature," Paul affirmed.
As part of its strategic initiatives within the Nepali market, Juniper Networks has outlined plans to establish its own warehouse in Nepal in the near future. Moreover, in addition to empowering telecommunications and cloud operators, the company aspires to construct large-scale IT infrastructures and engage in various ventures related to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Juniper's presence is anticipated to have a substantial impact on Nepal's network operators.
Rajesh Kumar, the Technology Head for Enterprise and Government in India and SAARC at Juniper Networks, underscored Nepal's distinct technological requirements and trends in its enterprise and government sectors. Kumar highlighted the transformative potential of increased bandwidth, such as the transition from 10 GbE to 400 GbE, in sectors such as healthcare and education.
Kumar emphasized Juniper's collaborative partnership with the government in implementing these technologies, with the aim of enhancing citizens' access to essential services through improved connectivity.
During a recent press conference held in Kathmandu, Paul delineated Juniper Networks' strategic priorities for the India and SAARC region and how Nepal is harmoniously integrated into this broader strategy. "Juniper's strategic focus encompasses pivotal areas, including enhancing engineering processes and testing environments through various technologies. The company is also committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2025, with technological innovations playing a pivotal role in supporting sustainability initiatives. Notably, Artificial Intelligence (AI) assumes a critical role, enhancing operational efficiency from design to ongoing management. Our emphasis on 'experience-first networking' underscores the importance of superior end-user experiences, facilitated by AI and automation tools," Paul added.
"In light of emerging technologies and infrastructure readiness, Nepal's trajectory mirrors India's adoption of technology, including the impending deployment of 5G networks. Juniper Networks is well-prepared to support Nepal's 5G deployment, leveraging expertise in open radio access networks (open RAN) and advanced fiber-based infrastructure. As global digital transformation gains momentum, Nepal stands to gain from improved connectivity and heightened bandwidth requirements, mirroring trends observed in other regions."
Paul elaborated on Juniper's plan to assist Nepali businesses in transitioning to advanced networking technology, stressing the company's dedication to cross-sector collaboration within Nepal's digital transformation framework. He emphasized that Juniper's technology can be adapted across diverse infrastructure domains, including education, retail, and power.
Regarding the role of automation and AI-driven networking in Juniper's vision for the future, Kumar explained that automation and AI are pivotal in simplifying intricate networks, expediting service delivery, and elevating user experiences. He highlighted Juniper's active investment in AI and automation capabilities to minimize operational costs and prioritize an 'experience-first networking' approach.
"This marks the path we are embarking upon in terms of automation and AI. This form of AI is indeed well-suited for Nepal as well. As Nepal progresses through its digital transformation, embracing cloud-based government initiatives, establishing data centers, and providing co-location services, these technologies will play a pivotal role in modernizing their infrastructure and expediting service delivery. These advancements not only enable rapid innovation but also enhance customer experiences and efficient management," Kumar concluded.
