Germany's BelWü to build new metro and regional research and education networks

BelWü, which supplies network services for education and research institutions and operates a regional backbone network within the southern German federal state of Baden-Württemberg, will embark on a fiber-optic network upgrade. The operator will enhance its currently static DWDM metro and regional networks with dynamic capabilities via elements of ECI's ELASTIC Network portfolio, says the system provider.

"We needed a flexible network that could manage changing traffic patterns, multiple services, and increasing bandwidth requirements. We also wanted a network that could, eventually, be easily connected to other NREN [national research and education network] entities," said Professor Dr.-Ing. Stefan Wesner from BelWü. "ECI's solution provided the strongest technical capabilities in an economical manner. Moreover, ECI's ELASTIC strategy ensures that our investment is assured and will enable us to further adapt our network to future needs."

The upgrade will leverage ECI's Apollo packet-optical transport system portfolio, which includes flexible ROADM technology with colorless/directionless/contentionless and flex-grid capabilities. The Apollo will support adaptive rate transmission from 100 to 400 Gbps (see "ECI adds 400G blade to Apollo packet-optical transport platform"). The systems will be managed via ECI's LightSOFT NMS.

"ECI has been very successful in the NREN market. We've won three new customers in the past couple of months. Today's news, however, is particularly significant as it is an important step forward for ECI as it continues to establish a leadership position in cloud networking," said Volker Lempert, head of Cloud Networking EMEA at ECI.

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