Network Design

Nortel Networks' metro optical portfolio enhancements to extend reach of metro DWDM networks

Sept. 8, 2003

8 September 2003 Orlando, FL Lightwave--Nortel Networks plans to enhance its metro optical portfolio to extend the reach of DWDM optical networks. The announcement was made at the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (NFOEC) 2003, an industry tradeshow held in Orlando this week.

Nortel Networks intends to deliver these enhancements in two phases. In the first phase, scheduled for availability in the fourth quarter of 2003, the enhancement will allow users of the OPTera Metro 5200 multiservice platform to extend the reach of metro DWDM networks to as much as 350 km over 2.5-Gbit/sec channels and 110 km over 10 Gbits/sec without dispersion compensation. The second phase enhancement, scheduled for availability in the first quarter of 2004, will extend this reach to as much as 600 km over 10-Gbit/sec channels.

Greater metro optical network reach means service providers can locate redundant data centers more remotely from the 'home office' for security purposes. Greater reach will also enable service providers to drive network cost reductions of as much as 50%, based on Nortel Networks' estimates.

"Implementations of regional applications in metro DWDM networks, which are typically in the 200 to 600-km range, are increasing as enterprises seek to move back-up centers farther from their main offices, due to security and business continuity concerns and changing regulations in finance, insurance, and healthcare," said Sterling Perrin, senior research analyst, IDC. "In addition, regional applications such as cable video on demand are emerging.

"Extending the reach of metro DWDM is a timely improvement to Nortel Networks OPTera Metro 5200 product," said Perrin.

"Nortel Networks has been consistently bringing to the table the technology capable of meeting our networking requirements," said Kirk Mahon, manager, Transport Standards & Support, TELUS. "We have utiltized Nortel Networks OPTera Metro 5200 in regional reach applications in the past, and are excited about the cost benefits associated with the distance extension capabilities found in the new version of the product."

Nortel Networks OPTera Metro 5000 multiservice platform provides DWDM and CWDM optical solutions, with over 10,000 network elements deployed and over 27,000 wavelengths lit. Deployed in more than 1,000 customer networks in 65 countries, Nortel Networks end-to-end optical network portfolio includes next generation SONET/SDH, optical switching products, photonics (WDM), and optical Ethernet products. Nortel Networks has been the leader in total optical transport and metro DWDM for the past four years, according to the Dell'Oro Group.