Ibexx posted the following news release on the Cisco thread. It shows just how far Cisco has come in the optical business. Hopefully tomorrow's earning report will provide further proof.
Cambrian Communications to Build North American Fiber Rich Network With Full Suite of Cisco IP+Optical Solutions
Cisco End-to-End IP+Optical Network to Provide Cambrian's Wholesale Customers Enormous Transport Capabilities and Scalability
FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2000-- Cambrian Communications, LLC, an
emerging end-to-end network solutions provider, announced today that it has signed an
agreement with Cisco Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CSCO - news), the worldwide leader in
networking for the Internet, to purchase the full suite of Cisco Internet Protocol (IP)+Optical
solutions to construct its new fiber rich metro and long-haul network. This first-ever
end-to-end Cisco IP+Optical network will enable Cambrian to build the most advanced,
next generation Internet infrastructure capable of delivering cost-effective transport and
unprecedented multi-service offerings. Cambrian's wholesale customers will benefit from
superior network performance, flexible pricing and rapid on-time service delivery while enjoying
scalable, high-bandwidth service.
Cambrian Communications, developer of an all-optical, Fiber Rich Network(TM), will construct
and operate its initial metropolitan area networks (MANs) along its fully redundant backbone
connecting New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. By building and operating
its own local and long-haul networks, privately held Cambrian solves the last mile bottleneck by
providing dynamic, high-bandwidth solutions to meet the critical wholesale communications
needs of emerging service providers, carriers and major private network owners. Through the
combination of IP with its high-speed optical backbone, Cambrian will be able to deliver a full
spectrum of differentiated service offerings.
While many broadband providers are focusing only on long-haul bandwidth between major cities,
Cambrian will concentrate its resources on providing broadband solutions within select,
under-served metropolitan markets. Cambrian will initially provide network services including
Optical Wavelength, Virtual Wavelength and Ethernet, as well as collocation services to meet the
diverse needs of its customers.
``Cambrian's experienced technology team evaluated more than 50 technology suppliers in its
search for a partner to build an end-to-end optical network, coupling current and next generation
services demanded by today's wholesale customers,'' says Brian D. Oliver, Cambrian's Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer. ``With its leadership in IP routing, optical networking technology
and content/services intelligence, Cisco is the ideal partner, enabling us to deploy a network
infrastructure that will meet our wholesale customers' current and future needs. This compelling
relationship will enable Cambrian to deliver extensive bandwidth services past the last mile
bottleneck, all the way to our customer.''
Building with Light
Cambrian will use Cisco's IP+Optical solution throughout its metro and long-haul network.
When fully implemented, Cambrian's optical network will include Cisco ONS 15200 Metropolitan
Dense Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (mDWDM) Systems, ONS 15454 Optical Transport
Platforms, ONS 15800 (long-haul) DWDM Systems and the ONS 15900 Series Wavelength
Routers(TM). The 12000 Series Internet Routers and Catalyst 6500 Series (Ethernet) Switches
will support a scalable and feature rich IP network. Combined, these open standards-based
products and IP technologies deliver a complete IP+Optical solution for building Internet-scale,
carrier-class optical networks that maximize the granular capabilities of packet-based networks.
Enabling differentiated service delivery, Cambrian's Operations Support System (OSS) features
Cisco Internet OSS network management components including: Cisco Transport Manager
(CTM) and Cisco Element Framework (CEMF). Additionally, Cambrian will utilize Cisco
professional services for network installation and management of its Network Operations Center
(NOC). Together, Cisco's Internet OSS strategy and professional services provide Cambrian
with a complete solution to meet the operational and business needs of today's IP+Optical
networks.
``We are delighted to be working with a cutting-edge solutions provider like Cambrian who fully
embraces the technology of today and tomorrow and who is capitalizing on the power of
IP+Optical to position themselves well into the future,'' says Carl Russo, Cisco's Group Vice
President, Optical Networking. ``In today's fiercely competitive, Internet-driven marketplace,
service providers' primary challenge is scaling the Internet to meet demand. The solution to these
challenges rests in the disruptive technology and radical economics that IP+Optical solutions
deliver: IP enables value-added services, while optical adds bandwidth and radically lowers costs.
Cambrian's dynamic network will have these advantages right from the start. With its own
backbone and local access powered by Cisco IP+ Optical solutions, Cambrian is uniquely
positioned to enable their customers, including New World service providers, to reach greater
service velocity and achieve the radical economics that will make their businesses thrive.'' |
