FastWeb Offers Pay-per-Use Bandwidth

Italy's Fastweb is using Cisco's routing and switching technology to deliver flexible pay-per-use (PPU) high-bandwidth Internet services to its fiber and DSL customers. A recent network upgrade was implemented to optimize bandwidth for both flat-rate and pay-per-use network traffic and to add data packet tracking functionality for residential customers in all Fastweb's PoPs. This helps Fastweb to more accurately monitor network usage, differentiate between on-net (or peer-to-peer) and regular Internet-bound traffic, and strengthen its network security by improving user identification and traffic control, and distributing security resources throughout the network to reduce the impact of denial of service attacks.


In the new network, Cisco Catalyst 6509 switches in each main PoP aggregate traffic and connect the core to the access network. Cisco content switching modules provide load balancing, while the Cisco Firewall Services Module translates the network IP addresses. The access infrastructure uses Cisco 7609 routers which provide Service Selection Gateway (SSG) functionality and are controlled by Cisco Service Exchange framework to provide session control and service personalization. Cisco Catalyst fixed configuration switches provide final connectivity to the client.


Fastweb worked with Cisco Systems and Italtel to complete the network upgrade within three months.


Fastweb is the only service provider in Italy offering different time-base rates for different internet services, as well as free access to email and portal services, including the ability to view bills online, to update anti-virus software, and to post digital photos for development. These value-added services differentiate Fastweb from other ISPs who bill the connection with a time-based or volume model.
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