Nortel Networks today enhanced its optical long haul portfolio with the announcement of its OPTera Long Haul DT, a next-generation DWDM terminal designed to promote network and operational efficiencies.
Used in conjunction with Nortel Networks OPTera Long Haul Optical Line Systems, the OPTera Long Haul DT will position service providers to drive significant cost savings and realize better return on investment for both new and existing optical infrastructure, say company representatives.
Australia-based service provider Optus expects to be the first to deploy the OPTera Long Haul DT, with plans to place it in service by July 2003. Optus purchased the OPTera Long Haul DT as part of a contract for voice over Internet-Protocol (IP) and optical solutions announced in April 2002. The Optus network is expected to span 2,852 km from Perth to Adelaide.
"OPTera Long Haul DT will make Nortel Networks harder to beat in long haul DWDM going forward," contends Dave Dunphy, principal analyst, optical infrastructure, Current Analysis. "Nortel has racked up a lot of success and experience in long haul to date, but needed to take this first step to consolidating its long haul portfolio to reduce development costs, and to provide a lower-cost migration path to secure the installed base while increasing competitiveness in 'greenfield' accounts."
In North America and Europe, where many service providers continue to focus on lowering capital (capex) and operating (opex) expenses by leveraging existing infrastructure, the OPTera Long Haul DT will position them to evolve their networks efficiently and cost-effectively to address changing market demands.
"OPTera Long Haul DT addresses all of these goals with lower capex and opex," adds Dunphy, "thanks to improved competitive density and footprint, increased distance without the cost of Raman, tunable lasers to lower sparing costs, and the flexibility of its service-transparent interfaces and upgraded operations tools."
In the Asia Pacific region and Europe, where many service providers are looking to build new and more efficient overlay networks, the OPTera Long Haul DT will allow for a simplified architecture that leverages the latest technology to provide extended network reach without signal amplification, reduced floor space and operating expenses, and managed, 'end-to-end' transparent services.
"Based on our experience with and commitment to long haul DWDM networking, Nortel has developed a unique perspective on how our customers' network and operational requirements have evolved over the last two years," explains Brian McFadden, president of optical networks at Nortel. "OPTera Long Haul DT is the first step in development of a network that implements the key attributes for service providers' current and future requirements."