Japan's J:COM deploys Ciena optical Ethernet platform for VoD network
June 15, 2005 Linthicum, MD -- Ciena today announced that Jupiter Telecommunications (J:COM), the largest cable service operator in Japan based on number of customers served, is adopting Ciena's optical Ethernet platforms to enable transport of Video on Demand (VoD) services for the operator's "J:COM On Demand" digital services offering.
For the deployment, Ciena will provide its CN 2200 Managed Optical Ethernet Multiplexer, CN 2100 Passive Optical Multiplexer, CN 2130 Managed Optical Amplifier, and CN 2110 Dispersion Compensation Module. The operator is also employing the company's VirtualWire technology. The company says the technology, unlike platforms based on enterprise-grade Ethernet aggregation, provides approximately six microseconds added latency with no jitter and zero congestion, to ensure the highest performance for services.
The optical Ethernet platform will enable the operator's rollout of VoD services in Japan's Kansai region, including the metropolitan areas around Osaka, Kobe, and Wakayama. The company says the platform will evolve the operator's existing infrastructure to efficiently scale in support of new applications and services. The operator says the deployment of VoD network services with dedicated bandwidth will give its digital TV subscribers access to more than 1,800 titles of Premium On Demand, Monthly On Demand, and Free On Demand programming content.
"We knew that a critical part of the success of our on-demand services would be ensuring a quality customer experience through a network that could reliably deliver on-demand content, and scale capacity to meet spikes in customer orders," affirms Yoshiaki Shirai, vice president of new technology for J:COM. "Ciena brought a unique combination of extensive experience building VoD networks for major cable operators, and highly-reliable platforms that are simple to deploy and manage."
According to Ciena, the deployment is a result of its relationship with its authorized business partner, Netmarks, a Japanese provider of network platforms. Ciena says the announcement represents its first video applications win with a major international cable operator.
"With a focus on applications that deliver greater service and value, Ciena is committed to helping customers like J:COM improve their network economics, while enabling superior, carrier-class capabilities for increased reliability and performance," concludes Francois Locoh-Donou, Ciena's vice president of international sales. "Additionally, this win is an excellent illustration of Ciena's ability to leverage channel partners to capitalize on significant business opportunities in key growth markets, like Japan."