Digital crossconnects

Bell Canada is installing Model 1631 SX wideband digital crossconnect systems produced by Richardson, TX-based Alcatel Network Systems. The two companies signed a multiyear agreement worth more than $30 million for the installation, which will encompass Bell Canada`s service area in Ontario and Quebec. The digital crossconnect systems will upgrade Bell Canada`s local and long-distance networks and help develop the infrastructure that is needed to make the transition from asynchronous to synchronous fiber-optic operations. The crossconnects provide more than 2600 DS-3 ports of capacity and can simultaneously handle the traffic of several million telephone calls.