July 27, 2004 Dallas--Alcatel today announced its investment in metro-area optical networking supplier, Tropic Networks (Ottawa, Ontario), which offers a reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexing (ROADM) platform. Alcatel will be represented on Tropic Networks' board of directors. In addition to the financial investment, Alcatel has also entered into a global agreement to market and distribute Tropic Networks products and technology.
As a manufacturer of metro-area optical networking equipment, Tropic Networks combines the intelligence of Wavelength Tracker, an advanced optical layer management technology, with the flexibility of ROADM technology. ROADM technology enables service providers to remotely reconfigure add and drop capacity at each node, delivering the enhanced functionality operators require to cost-effectively upgrade their network without affecting in-service traffic. The combination of these advanced technologies delivers more flexibility and versatility in network operation and provides today's service providers with increased operational cost savings.
"Alcatel is continuously looking for the best ways to meet the demands of our customers," said Romano Valussi, president of Alcatel's optical networks activities. "By partnering with Tropic Networks, Alcatel will be able to immediately satisfy the ROADM market requirements, while continuing to develop advanced solutions that meet the future needs of the service provider community."
"Tropic Networks is pleased to collaborate with the global leader in optical networking," said Kevin Rankin, chief executive, Tropic Networks. "We feel that this relationship will allow both Tropic Networks and Alcatel to leverage our combined strengths to successfully address new opportunities, while also serving the needs of our existing customers."