KT picks Siemens, Sycamore for optical backbone network

August 24, 2005 Seoul, South Korea and Chelmsford, MA -- Siemens and Sycamore Networks announced that they are teaming to deliver an optical switching platform to KT Corp. (formerly Korea Telecom) that will be part of the carrier's nationwide backbone network, designed to support a variety of next-generation voice and high-speed data applications.

According to a press release, the platform will be provided through Siemens' and Sycamore's global strategic alliance, and as part of an agreement between KT and Siemens' indigenous partner KDnet.

The carrier says it will deploy the intelligent optical switching platform to increase the performance and scalability of its high-speed communications infrastructure. The platform includes Sycamore's SN 16000 intelligent optical switching systems, its Universal Service Card (USC) - a modular interface card that supports SONET/SDH, Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and 10-GbE services - and its SILVX network management system.

According to Sycamore, consolidating multiple functions in a modular, intelligent systems architecture, the SN 16000 platform can reduce operational cost and complexity in optical networks, integrating seamlessly with existing technologies and management systems, while forming a scalable foundation for next-generation broadband services. The company says the platform's USC is a flexible service interface card that enables cost-effective optical networking by supporting a variety of interface types, port speeds, and transport options in a single line card.

"KT represents an important win for Siemens in Asia, and we are pleased to be teaming with Sycamore to deliver the industry's most advanced optical switching solution," comments Rudi Frey, president and CEO of Siemens Com FN APAC.

"We are pleased to team with Siemens to bring KT a superior solution for their innovative network infrastructure," adds Daniel E. Smith, Sycamore's president and CEO. "The addition of one of the world's leading service providers to our customer base is further validation of the strengths of Sycamore technology."