16 December 2003 Santa Clara, CA Lightwave--Lucent Technologies and Salira Optical Network Systems announced today that they will work together to deliver network solutions to service provider customers in the Asia-Pacific region. Lucent Worldwide Services will leverage its expertise in network design, deployment, maintenance and post-sale services to support Salira's line of Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) broadband systems.
"We believe this agreement with Salira will help extend Lucent's network integration and post-sales support globally," said Wayne Schreiner, vice president of Asia-Pacific sales, Lucent Worldwide Services. "Leveraging Lucent Worldwide Services' network know-how and expertise, Salira will be able to target new customer opportunities in Asia."
Bandwidth-intensive applications like digital video, online music, and digital photo sharing are driving the adoption of broadband services in the region. Simultaneously, there is growing demand for traditional applications like FTP and email, and latency-dependent services such as interactive gaming, streaming video and VoIP. These applications are increasingly overwhelming the capacity and flexibility of copper-based solutions such as ADSL, and service providers throughout the Asia-Pacific region are upgrading their networks as a result.
Salira solutions delivered under the Lucent-Salira agreement will provide the capacity, scalability and flexibility of optical transmission that is needed to deliver broadband services. In addition to future-oriented IP services, the Salira solutions will also provide integrated support for legacy TDM services such as PBX-based voice and T1/E1 leased line access.
"The relationship with Lucent Worldwide Services will enable us to deliver more comprehensive solutions to our mutual customers," said Ross Lau, Salira's chief executive. "The partnership leverages Lucent Worldwide Services' scale, reach and marketing muscle, and the efficiencies and revenue potential associated with Salira's EPON technology."
The agreement between Salira and Lucent Worldwide Services was created to better serve the large variety of service providers in the Asia-Pacific region. The companies have completed thorough systems and services integration, and Salira's products are scheduled for live customer trials to begin in 2004.
In addition to the Lucent partnership, the Salira products will be marketed by Salira Shanghai, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Salira with responsibility for marketing and sales in the Asia-Pacific region.