28 May 2002 -- Ottawa-based Meriton Networks Inc - which is developing optical add/drop switches (OADXs), which combine optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) and optical cross-connect (OXC) functionality for the metro core - has established a European headquarters in Bristol, UK, led by advisory board member Patrick Roberts and director of European sales Gerard Owens.
"The OADX offers all the functionality and benefits of an OADM, yet includes switching for no additional cost," says Roberts.
Meriton's first products - the 7200 OADX and 8600 Network Management System, launching at Supercomm 2002 on 4-6 June - are ready to enter customer trials in Europe and North America, including with "a tier-one telecoms carrier", within the next two months. General availability is expected for Q4/2002. "Europe represents an enormous opportunity," says president and CEO Wes Biggs.
Roberts has been a senior executive with Mitel Telecom and then Newbridge Networks, most recently as VP of sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa and - after its acquisition - a member of the Executive Council for the Carrier Internetworking Division of Alcatel.
Owens was sales director and global key accounts manager for Alcatel, and has held senior sales positions with Newbridge Networks, GPT Ireland and Cable & Wireless.
* Meriton Networks Inc has promoted chief operating officer Michael Gassewitz to president. Weston Biggs has been elevated to chairman of the board.