AFN Communications has selected CIENA Corp. as its primary optical networking partner. CIENA will supply intelligent optical networking equipment for AFN's dense, super-regional North American network.
Approximately 2,000 route-mi of AFN's initial 8,000-route-mi footprint are currently in operation and supporting customers. AFN will light the balance of its fiber with CIENA's LightWorks optical networking equipment to support AFN's service offerings, including private line (DS-3 up to OC-48) and optical wave (2.5-Gbit/sec to 10-Gbit/sec) services.
AFN will deploy CIENA's CoreDirector intelligent optical core switch, CoreStream DWDM transport solution, and the MetroDirector K2 multiservice access and switching platform. CIENA also will provide AFN with professional services and support including network engineering and installation. Deployment of the CIENA equipment is expected to begin immediately.
"We view this transaction as much more than a simple equipment purchase. We consider CIENA our partner. AFN and CIENA share a common vision to deliver competitive optical services to the broader marketplace," says Brian Cantrell, president of AFN Communications. "CIENA provides AFN with field proven, carrier-class intelligent optical networking solutions that reliably and economically addresses today's optical services demand," he adds.
AFN Communications, LLC (Tulsa, OK) is a facilities-based network service provider that supplies carrier-class broadband services to primary and underserved markets. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.afncommunications.com.
More information about CIENA Corp. (Linthicum, MD) can be found on the company's Web site at www.ciena.com.