Ribbon Communications Expands Critical Infrastructure Portfolio

The Plano-based company is rolling out the NPT 1022M and NPT 2104 routers, which integrate into its existing NPT 1012D and NPT 2714 platforms. By pairing these with its IP rNOS routing software and the Muse multilayer automation platform, Ribbon aims to provide a unified architecture that supports both outdated 64 kbit/s PCM services and high-capacity 100GbE and 400GbE interfaces. This convergence is intended to allow grid operators to deploy advanced monitoring, video, and smart grid analytics without risking the reliability of mission-critical services like SCADA or teleprotection.

Sam Bucci, Ribbon's EVP and COO, emphasized that the shift to IP-MPLS and segment routing architectures must occur without disrupting core grid operations. The updated toolkit incorporates IEC 61850 compliance, IEEE 1613 class B certification, and quantum-safe security features to address the growing cyber-resilience demands facing modern utilities. By leveraging AI-enabled management tools, the company expects to simplify the transition for operators who must maintain continuous uptime while upgrading their underlying communications infrastructure.