MURRAY HILL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 14, 1999-- Using beams of light to transmit information directly through
the air, a breakthrough optical networking system from Lucent Technologies (NYSE:LU - news) will dramatically boost the
capacity of local data networks and extend the reach of today's high-capacity fiber-optic systems.
Lucent's new WaveStar(TM) OpticAir(TM) system will use state-of-the-art lasers, amplifiers and receivers that can be placed
on rooftops or in office windows to transmit voice, data or video traffic from point to point through the air. Designed by Bell
Labs, the WaveStar OpticAir system will use dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) technology to increase network
capacity in metropolitan areas and campus environments where cost, geography or other constraints may make fiber
connections impractical.
Global Crossing will be first to test the system -- conducting field trials by December.
The first system to use DWDM technology directly through the air, Lucent's WaveStar OpticAir system eventually will enable
business customers and service providers to transmit up to 10 gigabits (billion bits) per second (Gb/s) of information between
locations. At this rate, customers will be able to transmit the data contained on 15 CD ROMs through the air in less than a
second. That's 65 times more information than with today's radio frequencies.
''Lucent is committed to providing our customers with cutting-edge metro optical networking solutions -- bringing photons not
only to the desktop, but to rooftops, windows and ships at sea,'' said Gerry Butters, president of Lucent's Optical Networking
Group. ''By adding this breakthrough technology to our industry-leading portfolio, Lucent soon will be able to provide the
power of fiber-optics just about anywhere -- with or without the fiber.''
Capable of handling any form of network traffic (voice, data, video, etc.), DWDM allows carriers to increase capacity by
simultaneously transmitting different wavelengths -- or colors -- of light, each carrying distinct streams of information.
Unparalleled bandwidth will break through local bottlenecks, open new markets
''Once again, Lucent is extending the bandwidth-expanding power of photons to local networks,'' said Wally Dawson, Senior
Vice President at Global Crossing Development Ltd. ''If our testing of the product meets expectations, it could offer a
breakthrough method to help our global customers bypass local bottlenecks and offer leading-edge services. Based on
projections, no one else is even approaching the amount of bandwidth that Lucent will bring to this exciting new market.''
Potential applications for the WaveStar OpticAir system include transmitting data between high-rise office buildings, enabling
naval ships to share huge amounts of information while in port, and establishing temporary, high-capacity data links for special
events.
''This high-capacity technology will give Lucent another optical solution to complement our fiber-based systems and our
broadband-wireless-access offerings,'' said Butters. ''We set out to bring the power of photons to network environments
where deploying fiber is just not practical. And WaveStar OpticAir fits that niche.''
In certain applications, the WaveStar OpticAir system could be used in conjunction with Lucent's SYSTIMAX® Structured
Connectivity Solution (SCS) to provide enterprise customers with ultra-reliable, high-speed data networks in campus and
business environments. SYSTIMAX SCS is Lucent's industry-leading in-building wiring solution.
New system is environmentally safe, highly reliable, modular in design
Unlike the tiny, high-density streams of light emitted by laser pointers, Lucent's WaveStar OpticAir system will use
''expanded-beam'' lasers that meet all applicable environmental safety requirements.
Like other open-air transmission systems -- such as wireless -- the WaveStar OpticAir system will meet industry standards for
performance and reliability.
Implementing WaveStar OpticAir requires no spectrum licenses, and the system is easily upgradeable. Its modular design will
enable carriers to grow their networks as capacity requirements rise, and open interfaces supporting equipment from a variety
of vendors will help carriers protect the investment of their embedded infrastructures.
Lucent is bringing this product from concept to market in just 18 months. The first release of Lucent's WaveStar OpticAir
system, supporting one wavelength at speeds up to 2.5 Gb/s, is expected to be commercially available by March 2000. A
four-wavelength system with a maximum capacity of 10 Gb/s for distances up to five kilometers is expected to be commercially
available in the summer of 2000.
Building on Bell Labs' optical networking leadership
With more than 2,400 systems installed worldwide, Lucent is the global leader in DWDM technology. According to KMI
Corp., a leading market research firm, Lucent has the largest share -- 29 percent -- of the $2.2 billion global DWDM
equipment market.
The WaveStar OpticAir system will use patent-pending technology. Bell Labs, which has garnered more than 2,000 patents in
optical technology alone, has been designing networks for 75 years -- yet the pace of Bell Labs innovation has never been
faster. In 1993, Lucent's TrueWave® fiber was the first fiber specifically designed for high-capacity DWDM networks. In
1998, Lucent was first to market with an 80-channel DWDM system, which can transmit up to 400 Gb/s of information over a
single fiber. For more information about Lucent's Optical Networking Group, please visit its Web site at
lucent-optical.com.
Lucent Technologies designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and
software, data networking systems, business telephone systems and microelectronics components. Bell Laboratories is the
research and development arm of the company. For more information about Lucent Technologies, visit its Web site at
lucent.com.
Note to Editors:
Lucent is hosting a media conference call concerning this
announcement. Wednesday, July 14, at 12 Noon Eastern Time.
Inside the U.S., Dial-in Number: 800-288-8960
Outside the U.S., Dial-in Number: 612-332-1214
Contact:
Lucent Technologies, Murray Hill
Mary Ward, 908/582-7658
Cell phone: 908/565-1716
E-mail: maryward@lucent.com
or
Frank Briamonte, 908/559-5692
Pager: 800-607-9849
E-mail: fbriamonte@lucent.com
|
