2 October 2003 Dallas, TX Lightwave -- Alcatel today introduced the Alcatel 1626 Light Manager, a new core DWDM platform that addresses long-haul to ultra long-haul terrestrial network applications as well as unrepeatered undersea applications in the core network. It also provides a migration path to network operators who want to improve their core networks while optimizing cost savings, say company representatives.
The Alcatel 1626 Light Manager is ideal for operators who want to extend and modernize their national or pan-continental optical networks while lowering the overall transmission cost-per-bit by deploying new links or upgrading current DWDM systems. The new product platform provides enhanced transmission distance (4,500 km) and capacity (192 wavelengths at 10 Gbits/sec).
With the Alcatel 1626, operators can continue to leverage their existing network equipment, whether from Alcatel or other vendors. The Alcatel 1626 Light Manager Optical Network Extender shelf enables in-service upgrades without traffic interruptions. In addition, it provides a continuity path to Alcatel 1686WM and 1640 OADM/WM DWDM systems by extending their performance up to 2,500 km.
The 1626 Light Manager's shelf offers best-in-class footprint, claims Alcatel, and low power consumption with a single shelf for all configurations. Built to minimize operator capital expenditures and optimize operational expenditures, the Alcatel 1626 Light Manager supports the new ITU Optical Transport Network standard and boasts tunable transponders over the full spectrum range, high scalability, automated commissioning, and self-maintenance features. In addition, re-configurable optical add-drop and cross connect functions are integrated with the platform to support the migration path to the fully automated optical transport network.
"With the introduction of the 1626 Light Manager, Alcatel is not only re-affirming itself as a technical leader in the field of WDM but also directly addressing the implementation and operational issues faced by our customers," asserts Romano Valussi, president of Alcatel's optical network activities. "We work with operators to plan their systems growth to be in line with their investment and capacity demands so that they have the most efficient, cost-effective core network possible."