Alcatel unveils new versatile metropolitan DWDM system, the 1696
Metro Span
Industry leading compact and low cost carrier-class metro DWDM system
DALLAS - May 29, 2001 - Alcatel (NYSE: ALA), world leader in intelligent optical
networking, today announced the introduction of its 1696 Metro Span, specifically designed
for metropolitan and enterprise DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing)
applications. This system delivers flexible features that can adjust and grow to meet the
continuing demand for greater network capacity from customers. Alcatel's 1696 Metro
Span is an industry leading compact and low construction and operation cost carrier-class
metro DWDM system.
After a major cycle of investment in core transport networks, carriers are now also
developing optical metropolitan infrastructures. Such networks are required by the
unbundling of the local loop, the explosion of broadband access technologies, and the
opportunity by network operators to offer high revenue services while at the same time
reducing cost. Metro networks require specific solutions in terms of footprint, cost and
ability to handle multiple services, from SONET and SDH to IP, ATM and Gigabit Ethernet.
"Advances in DWDM and switching technology are now allowing intelligent
optical networks to cost effectively extend from the core to the metropolitan
network. Carriers and service providers are looking to the metro market to
deliver new, value-added, revenue generating services to their end
customers," said analyst Grier Hansen of Current Analysis, one of the leading industry
analyst firms in the field of optical networking. "Alcatel's new 1696 Metro Span
metro DWDM platform greatly strengthens their position in this rapidly
growing network segment."
Alcatel's 1696 Metro Span supports operators' service needs with class of service
differentiation, optical path quality assurance, and multi-protocol transport. It features a
high-density lambda switch, operating up to 32 DWDM channels. It can handle large
amounts of traffic at rates up to 10Gbit/s. Additionally, the 1696 Metro Span's wavelength
cross connection matrix does not limit the direction of the traffic flow, but instead allows
the traffic to travel freely across the network. Further demonstrating its flexibility, the 1696
Metro Span has the ability to concentrate different kinds of data signals into one standard
optical pathway using its unique "any-rate" data concentrator, providing efficient delivery of
low bit rate bandwidth services, such as digital video, by maximizing optical capacity,
without any traffic interruption. The 1696 Metro Span is also fully transparent,
accommodating multiple kinds of protocols and services (SDH, SONET, IP, ATM, Gigabit
Ethernet, etc.).
The Alcatel 1696 Metro Span system provides a wide array of revenue generating services
in networks ranging from single enterprise applications to larger citywide networks. For
example, short distances do not require the signal amplification required with longer
distances. The 1696 Metro Span can route network traffic over these short distances as a
non-amplified system, or it can be configured to transmit traffic over longer distances
requiring amplification. Additionally, the 1696 Metro Span can be installed in a variety of
environments, from a basement closet to a central office.
Alcatel's 1696 Metro Span utilizes the latest in advanced tunable laser technologies,
reducing the operational cost and maintenance issues inherent with traditional laser
applications. DWDM systems employ lasers to control the frequency of the optical signal
through the network. Traditional laser applications require one laser per frequency, which
forces telecom operators to manage expensive inventory of spare transmitter boards.
Tunable laser technology allows each laser to support adjacent frequencies, reducing the
number of spare modules required for the system.
"As end user demand for bandwidth continues to grow, carriers want to
use bandwidth more efficiently in their metropolitan networks," said Jean-Marie
Vansteenkiste, president of Alcatel's Terrestrial Networks Division. "The 1696 Metro
Span system provides network operators a cost effective solution that
maximizes the capacity of these fiber networks, allowing the delivery of
expanded, revenue generating services."
As part of Alcatel's Optinex (TM) family of optical networking products, the 1696 Metro
Span further reinforces Alcatel's end-to-end, global, intelligent optical networking product
portfolio. It complements Alcatel's optical metro offering which also includes multi-service
nodes, IP routers, integrated network management solutions and optical fibers.
The 1696 Metro Span will be available in the fourth quarter of this year.
Note to the editor
Optinex (TM)
The Optinex family of carrier-class transmission solutions is designed with distinctive and
enduring features that enable operators to offer a full range of services to business and
residential users, including the newest IP-based services with guaranteed IP Quality of
Service (QoS). IP and ATM grooming and forwarding functionality is introduced into Optinex
Multiservice Nodes and Gateways, thus drastically reducing the amount of investments
needed to build up a transmission network and to operate it. The current terrestrial Optinex
product range also includes wide-band optical amplifiers and Dense Wavelength Division
Multiplexing systems (DWDM) with high channel counts and very high performance
applications, able to multiplex up to 320 channels with optical tributaries from 100Mbps to
40Gbps. Within this range, Optinex Optical Network Systems are capable of reaching up to
3.2Tbps of capacity. All the above mentioned systems are managed by a single, fully
integrated Network Management System enabling efficient traffic control and routing
throughout all network levels, from local up to intercontinental links and from submarine to
terrestrial.
About Alcatel
Alcatel is the only vendor to master all optical network elements, from optical components,
optical fibers, DWDM systems and microwave radio links to core routers and network
intelligence, and from terrestrial to submarine solutions. Alcatel is also the only company to
provide both terrestrial and marine services for the installation and maintenance of global,
seamless optical networks. According to RHK's 2000 study, Alcatel holds the number two
position in global optical transport market with 20% market share, distancing itself from
other competitors. RHK also reported that Alcatel reaffirms its number one position in
submarine networks with 41% worldwide market share. Moreover, Alcatel claims to be the
world leader in total terrestrial and submarine DWDM systems, in digital cross-connects,
which contain the enabling technology for operators to offer high bandwidth services, in
SDH networks and in microwave radio links. Alcatel's optics business comprises terrestrial
and submarine transmission systems, fiber optics, optical components and microwave
radio links. Alcatel has launched a new class of Alcatel stock which is intended to track the
performance of Alcatel Optronics, the Company's optical component business.
Alcatel builds next generation networks, delivering integrated end-to-end voice and data
networking solutions to established and new carriers, as well as enterprises and
consumers worldwide. With 130,000 employees and sales of EURO 31 billion in 2000,
Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
Contact press@www.alcatel.com |
