Nortel Networks unveils optical edge platform

13 October 2003 Geneva, Switzerland Lightwave -- Nortel Networks has introduced the Optical Multiservice Edge 6500, a new optical edge platform designed to help service providers simplify their networks and offer revenue-generating services more efficiently.

Announced at ITU Telecom World 2003 in Geneva, Nortel Networks' Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 will converge multiple services, architectures, and layers from new or existing networks onto a single platform for service efficiency. Nortel Networks estimates that the platform may help service providers to reduce capital and operating costs by as much as 40 percent. It will also help speed time-to-market for optical Ethernet, optical storage connectivity, and other optical broadband services.

According to Brian McFadden, president, Optical Networks, Nortel Networks, "Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 is designed to assist service providers in improving return on existing assets and to support long-term investment protection."

Key attributes of Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 include:

• Consolidation of network layers: The ability to simplify a network by unifying multiple service-specific network overlays and consolidating several network functions onto a single platform.
  
• Innovation for service delivery: Platform and technology innovation that will allow service providers to improve margins on established services by reducing the number of network elements managed, footprint, power, and interconnection cabling, while improving the efficiency of operations staff. Also positions service providers to drive new revenue opportunities through support for emerging optical broadband services.
  
• Efficient services delivery: Will enable low-cost, service forecast-tolerant, and differentiated services through its ability to deliver combined Layer 0, 1, and 2 services employing technology that combines selectable bit rates, multiple protocols, and carrier-grade pluggable, flex-reach optics.
  

In addition to enabling service providers to reduce capital and operating costs, Nortel Networks estimates that the Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 may help service providers to reduce mixed services implementation costs on TDM leased lines and optical broadband services by up to 38 percent.

A number of global service providers are currently evaluating Nortel Networks Optical Multiservice Edge 6500, says the company. The new system will be available worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2003.