KATHMANDU, AUGUST 13
Juniper Networks is poised to play a significant role in Nepal's journey towards technological advancement, offering solutions that align seamlessly with the nation's burgeoning digital ambitions.
Since entering the Nepali market in 2012, Juniper has witnessed the remarkable growth achieved by WorldLink across the ISP and IT services sector. Juniper's expertise in networking technology will contribute to a more connected and streamlined future as Nepal continues its drive towards technological progress.
By spearheading networking transformation throughout the country, Juniper has played a pivotal role in delivering worldclass networking connectivity to the people of Nepal.
One of Juniper's remarkable achievements has been its collaboration with WorldLink to transition towards a high-performance 100GbE infrastructure.
This forward-looking approach ensures that Nepal's network infrastructure can effectively support the surging growth in internet connectivity and services.
Sajan Paul, managing director and country manager for India and SAARC at Juniper Networks, expressed optimism about the current state of networking technology adoption in Nepal. Paul underscored Juniper's substantial market share in the realm of internet connectivity and the deployment of cutting-edge technology within the region.
"Juniper Networks holds a substantial market share in the field of internet connectivity. Our deployment of cutting-edge, worldclass technology in Nepal mirrors global standards, ensuring seamless expansion opportunities with modest investments. The longevity of our equipment in the infrastructure landscape is a testament to its exceptional quality," stated Paul.
Rajesh Kumar, technology head for enterprise and government in India and SAARC at Juniper Networks, shed light on Nepal's unique technology needs and trends within its enterprise and government sectors. He emphasised the pivotal role of digital transformation, particularly in government-to-government (G2G) and government-to-citizen (G2C) interactions.
Kumar highlighted the transformative potential of increased bandwidth, such as the shift from 10 GbE to 400 GbE, in sectors like healthcare and education. He stressed Juniper's collaborative efforts with the government to implement these technologies, aiming to enhance citizens' access to essential services through improved connectivity.
Paul offered insights into Juniper Networks' strategic priorities for India and the SAARC region and how Nepal aligns with this broader strategy.
"Juniper's strategic focus encompasses key areas, including optimising engineering processes and testing environments through various technologies. The company is also committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2025, with technological innovations playing a crucial role in supporting sustainability efforts. Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out as a critical priority, enhancing operational efficiency from design to ongoing management. Juniper's emphasis on 'experience-first networking' underscores the significance of superior end-user experiences, facilitated by AI and automation tools," added Paul.
"In the context of emerging technologies and infrastructure readiness, Nepal's trajectory parallels India's technology adoption, including the impending deployment of 5G networks. Juniper Networks is well-equipped to support Nepal's 5G deployment, leveraging expertise in open radio access networks (open RAN) and advanced fibre-based infrastructure. As digital transformation gains momentum globally, Nepal is poised to benefit from enhanced connectivity and bandwidth requirements, similar to trends observed in other regions."
Paul outlined Juniper's plan to assist Nepali businesses in transitioning to advanced networking technology, emphasising the company's commitment to collaboration across sectors within Nepal's digital transformation framework. He noted that Juniper's technology can be adapted across diverse infrastructure domains, including education, retail, and power.
On the role of automation and AI-driven networking in Juniper's vision for the future, Kumar explained that automation and AI are pivotal for simplifying intricate networks, expediting service delivery, and elevating user experiences.
He highlighted Juniper's active investment in AI and automation capabilities to minimise operational costs and prioritise an 'experience-first networking' approach.
"That is the journey we are embarking on in terms of automation and AI. This type of AI is indeed well-suited for Nepal as well. As Nepal progresses through its digital transformation, embracing cloud-based government initiatives, establishing data centres, and providing co-location services, these technologies will play a pivotal role in modernising their infrastructure and expediting service delivery. These advancements not only enable rapid innovation but also enhance customer experiences and efficient management," Kumar added.
A version of this article appears in the print on August 14, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
