Juniper Enhances Mobile Backhaul Capabilities With New Routers

Juniper (NYSE:JNPR) recently introduced two new router models to expand its carrier ethernet offerings. The new routers – ACX500 and ACX5000 – are intended to serve the interests of service providers in handling added capacity and to accelerate service orchestration. The company also introduced new enhancements to its Junos Space Network Management Platform software to ensure unified network management and to optimize operating costs when ethernet services are deployed on multi-vendor carrier networks. ^[1]

Juniper’s carrier ethernet routers (ACX series), along with its edge routers (MX series, M series), core routers (PTX series, T series) and Junos software, form the backbone of the company’s mobile IP/MPLS (Internet Protocol/Multi-Protocol Label Switching) solutions. The new router models will expand Juniper’s capabilities of building robust mobile backhaul networks for wireless carriers to improve network quality and expand service coverage.

Juniper is likely to focus on adding new service providers to its client base with its enhanced mobile IP/MPLS capabilities, especially after a recent report suggested that the company may not have been able to renew its deal with U.S. wireless major Verizon (NYSE:VZ), which contributes about 10% of the company’s sales. In fact, the report also adds that losing out on the Verizon deal was possibly an important factor contributing to former CEO Shaygan Kheradpir’s departure from the company in November. Although this report has yet to be confirmed by official sources, it highlights how important service providers are for Juniper’s business and that expanding its mobile IP capabilities are likely to directly impact its top line. Apart from Verizon, Juniper’s clients in the U.S. also include AT&T (NYSE: T). ^{[2] [3]}

Our $25 price estimate for Juniper is about in line with the current market price.

See our full analysis of Juniper Networks

Router Business Performance In 2014

In the first half of 2014, Juniper’s routing sales grew in high-single digits over the prior year period on consistent capital spending by carriers due to the proliferation of mobile devices and high-quality video content on the web. However, sluggish demand from U.S. carriers in both the core and edge router market resulted in Q3 and Q4 2014 routing sales witnessing a decline of about 12% and 15%, respectively. Since service providers account for more than two-thirds of Juniper’s revenues, any weakness in demand reflects significantly on the company’s top line performance. ((Press Release, Juniper, Jan 27 2015))

By our estimates, edge routers account for more than 50% of the overall market and about 70% of the service provider router market. Routers account for about 40% of Juniper’s overall valuation by our estimates, and market share gains in edge routers should be the most accretive to Juniper’s value going forward.

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1. Press Release, Juniper, Feb 18 2015 [↩]
2. Juniper CEO axed after SALES FAIL: report, The Register UK, Feb 17 2015 [↩]
3. Juniper Networks Appoints Rami Rahim Chief Executive Officer, Juniper, Nov 10 2014 [↩]