NetScaler Seals Korea Deals

Application-switch vendor NetScaler Inc. announced a series of deals with Korean customers, part of a company strategy to target the burgeoning broadband market in that country.

In one announcement Wednesday, NetScaler said Korea Telecom Freetel Co., one of the country's largest mobile service providers, will buy an undisclosed number of NetScaler 9800 application delivery switches, which the provider will use to help roll out Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) functionality for its wireless customers.

The NetScaler products, part of an emerging market of devices aimed at improving networked application throughput, can provide a wide range of services including Layer 4-7 switching, integrated security, and traffic load balancing and acceleration, according to the company.

In addition to the KTF customer announcement, the San Jose, Calif.-based NetScaler said it is establishing a formal sales presence in Korea, to take advantage of the nation's leading-edge broadband and advanced services deployments.

"Korea remains one of the most technologically demanding nations in the world," said NetScaler CEO B.V. Jagadeesh, in a statement. "We are committed to establishing a lasting local presence in Korea and to getting closer to businesses [here]."NetScaler has already announced several customer wins with large Korean enterprises. According to Sheen Khoury, NetScaler's senior vice president of worldwide sales, the company expects revenue from Korean customers will account for 10 to 12 percent of NetScaler's future totals. The privately held NetScaler did not comment on its overall revenues, or on the dollar size of any of the Korean deals.