February 25, 2004 Murray Hill, NJ -- Lucent Technologies has announced an agreement with 60networks Corp. to provide optical networking equipment for use in the carrier's North American optical network expansion product. 360networks' broadband fiber-optic network spans approximately 44,000 miles (70,000 kilometers) and connects 60 major cities in Canada and the United States. Lucent will supply 360networks with the LambdaUnite MSS to integrate its regional networks with its core optical network.
Developed with the help of scientists from Bell Labs, Lucent's research and development arm, the LambdaUnite MSS will allow 360networks to integrate its long haul mesh network with regional ring networks. Leveraging intelligent mesh restoration capability with traditional protection architectures, LambdaUnite MSS will enable 360networks to expand new services, such as Gigabit Ethernet, outside the major metropolitan areas without the need for an overlay network.
"The Lucent LambdaUnite MSS allows us to bring together high-capacity switching, configuration flexibility, and hybrid ring-mesh functionality in one small box," reports Harminder Gill, vice president of architecture for 360networks. "We will be able to seamlessly integrate our backbone and metro-optical networks, allowing us to roll out new services more quickly and manage our network more efficiently."
"We're thrilled to be working with 360networks to help expand and optimize the largest and most advanced fiber mesh network in North America," adds Alex Giosa, president and CEO of Lucent Technologies Canada. "The LambdaUnite MSS gives 360networks the tools it needs to offer its customers a broader range of integrated next-generation services."
Developed by Bell Labs scientists to specifically bridge traffic between data-intense metro networks and high-speed optical core networks--seamlessly connecting cities, campuses, and corporate networks to larger, long-haul public networks--the LambdaUnite MSS enables service providers like 360networks to upgrade their networks and allow them to deliver new value-added services such as Gigabit Ethernet. The compact size and low energy requirements of LambdaUnite MSS also mean operators can make significant cost savings compared to traditional systems. The flexible, single-shelf system was recently optimized for smaller metro applications, supporting in-service upgrades from 160 Gbits/sec to 320 Gbits/sec, as well as to 640 Gbits/sec, allowing the system to grow when network capacity increases. Mesh restoration capabilities were also added to help carriers migrate to new mesh-based networks, while at the same time leveraging traditional restoration architectures.