Alestra Selects Lucent's Advanced Optical System for
Dramatic Expansion of Long Distance Network Capacity
August 19, 1998
MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE) via NewsEdge
Corporation -- Alestra, a leading provider of long
distance services in the Mexican market, today
announced that it selected Lucent Technologies to
supply an advanced optical networking system to
substantially increase the capacity of Alestra's network.
The expansion would position Alestra as one of the first
companies among Mexico's new long distance service
providers to undertake a dramatic expansion of its
existing capacity.
Alestra is currently providing long distance services to
almost one million lines. This represents several million
minutes of both domestic and international long distance
calling every day.
"Our clients require us to provide the highest quality
and most reliable service for their voice, data and video
transmission requirements," said Alejandro Rodriguez,
sales vice president of Alestra. "That it is why we are
contracting Lucent to supply and install this cutting
edge technology. "
This will be among the first land-based Dense
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) systems to
be deployed anywhere in Latin America. The contract
calls for the installation of Lucent's WaveStar(tm) OLS
80G system. Using DWDM technology, the system
provides higher capacity per fiber over longer distances
than previously possible.
The OLS 80G is a high-capacity DWDM system that
combines 16 wavelengths, or channels, on one fiber each
with 2.5 gigabit-per-second capacity. With a total
capacity of 40 gigabits in both directions in one fiber, it
is possible to conduct 500,000 telephone calls
simultaneously -- or transmit the equivalent of 320,000
pages of typewritten text per second.
"We're delighted to have the opportunity to work with
Alestra in expanding the capacity of its network and
service offerings in this increasingly sophisticated
market," said Rogelio Velasco, managing director for
Lucent Technologies in Mexico. "This contract signals
Lucent's commitment to bring the latest technology to
the Mexican market and support our growing customer
base."
Carriers can realize significant cost benefits with
Lucent's DWDM systems through increased capacity
and the capability of optical amplifiers to boost the
different wavelengths simultaneously. This presents a
major advantage over the conventional transmission
technique of carrying individual channels on individual
fibers.
Lucent's WaveStar OLS 80G purchased by Alestra will
be deployed in the existing 4,100 km ring topology that
connects 20 cities. These include Mexico's three largest
cities of Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, as
well as the U.S. border crossing in Nuevo Laredo.
The system includes features such as performance
monitoring, error localization and proactive maintenance
functions. Another special feature is the system's
convenient and error-free ease of upgrade (even during
operation) from one to 16 wavelengths, with automatic
power adjustment of the individual optical amplifiers.
Alestra is the Mexican telecommunications company
resulting from the joint venture of ALFA, Bancomer and
AT&T that operates a national network using the most
advanced technology. Alestra delivers to the Mexican
consumer the AT &T standards of quality and reliability
as well as seamless access to the AT&T global network
that operates in 280 countries carrying more than 250
million voice and data messages worldwide every day.
Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hills,
N.J., designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public
and private networks, communications systems and
software, data networking solutions, business telephone
systems and microelectronics. Bell Laboratories is
Lucent's research and development arm. More
information about Lucent Technologies is available on
the company's website at lucent.com.
CONTACT: Alestra, Mexico City | Jorge Escribano --
Mexico | +525-201-5011 (office) | jescriba@alestra.com.mx
| or | Lucent Technologies: | Fernando Figueredo -
Caribbean and Latin America region | 305-569-3747
(office) | ffigueredo@lucent.com | or | Marco Malfavon -
Mexico | +525-258-7530 (office) | mmalfavon@lucent.com
[Copyright 1998, Business Wire]
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