Juniper to form state wide network

Bangalore: Network infrastructure provider Juniper Networks Inc said it has bid, in partnership with software companies, to create state-wide area network for Punjab, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

The deal sizes are generally Rs 45 crore to Rs 150 crore, and Juniper’s share in the deals is generally 20 per cent to 25 per cent, said Mr Nagendra Venkaswamy, Managing Director, India and SAARC.

Mr Venkaswamy said the company expects the bids to close over the next one year. The company never bids directly, and goes through its partners or system integrators.

Juniper has already won such deals from Himachal Pradesh and Bihar in collaboration with HP and TCS, respectively, it said.

The company also said it has doubled the size of its research and development centre in Bangalore. With a facility for 1,275 employees, it is the largest R&D centre outside the US, Juniper added.

The facility houses a lab that can store 750 racks, which are used to store routers, switches and security systems, the company said. At present, 900 engineers and support staff are based in this facility.

Mr Sridhar Sarathy, Managing Director, India Operations, said 30 per cent of global engineering workforce is in Bangalore and they contribute something to every product.

Juniper also said it has invested $2 million to expand its centres in Mumbai and Delhi. The Mumbai office would be ready next month and the Delhi office in the next two to three months, it added.

It has invested $250 million over the last five years to develop its Bangalore R&D centre.

Mr Venkaswamy said at present the company’s addressable market is about $600 million.