8 January 2003 -- French competitive network operator LDCom, Paris, has named Marconi as a key partner in the deployment of its Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) network in France.
The network will introduce high-speed, high-density broadband data services across the country and will enable LDCOM and its ISP partners to offer new services to commercial and residential customers. Marconi's Access Hub platform will allow LDCOM to evolve its portfolio towards higher-bandwidth value-added services, including fast Internet, video broadcast and voice over DSL.
LDCom's network deployment represents a significant step towards the provision of DSL in France. The company intends to be France's leading alternative operator in this segment by the end of 2003. LDCom believes that its broadband offer will introduce true competition to the French market, boosting the take-up of DSL services nationwide.
"We need a solution that takes up little floor space and makes the most of our unbundled copper lines, if we are to substantially reduce our operating costs," said Michel Paulin, Senior VP LDCom.
"With 576 lines per shelf, Marconi's Access Hub allows us to connect a large number of new broadband users quickly and cost-effectively. LDCom's existing network can now move beyond simple data flow to a multi-service offering."
The Marconi Access Hub deployment will take place throughout major cities in France. The company has already supplied 85 units and LDCOM is currently enhancing its capacity to respond to the expected growing customer demand.
The Access Hub series combines the functionality of Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexers (DSLAMs) along with the ability to aggregate all traffic types with one of the industry's highest port densities. With a 32-line xDSL line card, the platform supports up to 576 xDSL lines in a single shelf and can also act as a wireless or fibre aggregation point. The Access Hub supports up to 40Gbit/s of bandwidth on the backplane.