Verizon says it will deploy Juniper Networks’ PTX series of packet transport switches to give the carrier the densest multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) platform available in the industry, with an initial capacity of eight terabits per second.

Verizon says the deployment provides an upgrade of its global IP backbone to 100G Ethernet, supporting customer access speeds of 10G and above and enabling growth for FiOS, wireless and cloud services.

The Juniper Networks PTX Series provides up to 16 terabits per second of capacity in a single chassis as well as density in 10G (gigabit), 40G and 100G Ethernet interfaces. Verizon will initially deploy the PTX5000, which delivers eight terabits per second of capacity, with plans to eventually move toward higher terabit capacity.

In a world where customer needs and speeds are steadily increasing, Verizon will be able to improve the scalability and efficiency of its core MPLS network by employing the industry-leading switch density of the Juniper Networks PTX,” said Ihab Tarazi, vice president of global IP and transport planning and technology for Verizon. The PTX provides significant packet processing power, system scale and reduced power consumption all of which will help Verizon meet its future needs.”

This next-generation technology will support private and public IP services, including Ethernet, while offering greater capacity, reduced power consumption per gigabit, increased cost efficiency and a technology roadmap to scale in the future, the companies said.

Verizon plans to have the Juniper switches deployed in major U.S. and European markets by the end of the year.