Glimmerglass (www.glimmerglass.com) says that it has now shipped 20 Intelligent Optical Switches to the Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX), the world�s largest public Internet peering exchange, in support of peak traffic rates exceeding 400 Gbits/sec. Peering is a cost-neutral arrangement between two IP networks to exchange Internet traffic in order to reduce costs and provide more direct routing of that traffic. AMS-IX has implemented the Glimmerglass Intelligent Optical Switches since 2004 to connect bandwidth between hundreds of international network connections, to maintain and upgrade software and hardware in multiple peering centers, and to prevent service outages. AMS-IX CEO Job Witteman says the exchange�s traffic is expected to grow about 70% each year. Currently AMS-IX has around 300 connected members on more than 500 ports.
Tunable laser developer Syntune AB of Sweden (www.syntune.com) says it has taken a controlling equity position in Svedice, a European provider of customised indium phosphide (InP) semiconductor devices. Svedice, based in Järfalla, Sweden, provides foundry services, including III-V epitaxial growth, materials characterisation, etching, metallisation, and testing. Syntune has partnered with Svedice to produce widely tunable products. The tunable laser market has now passed the 100,000 per year mark and is expected to grow 25% to 30% per year through 2012. Syntune is currently in full production of its S3500 C-band tunable laser and its corresponding integrated tunable laser assembly (ITLA).
Bulgarian telecom carrier Bulgartel and data and IP services provider RETN have selected the Infinera (www.infinera.com) Digital Optical Networking system for a nationwide Bulgarian optical network and national backbone network modernisation and upgrade, respectively. RETN also plans to construct a new pan-European transmission ring using Infinera�s system. Bulgartel�s new network is designed to enable the company to provide greater capacity and new services to its customers within Bulgaria and to those requiring international connectivity. System integrator SmartCom Bulgaria AD is providing support services for the new network. Growing Internet use in the Middle East and Central Asia is driving more IP traffic through Bulgaria and Turkey, the main communications crossroads linking those markets to Western Europe, Infinera says. RETN is a wholesale carrier specialising in connectivity within Russia and among major international traffic exchange points. The company provides services to more than 200 communications operators in Russia, Europe, North America, and Asia.
BH Telecom, which operates mobile and fixed networks in Bosnia and Herzegovina, will use Nokia Siemens Networks� (www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com) fibre-optic platform to strengthen its market position and expand its services to customers. BH Telecom is the first operator in the subhead to implement DWDM technology. Nokia Siemens Networks says the DWDM network based on the SURPASS hiT 7300 platform will provide BH Telecom with a scalable and cost-effective transport backbone and prepare the operator for the transformation towards next-generation networks.
ECI Telecom (www.ecitele.com) has partnered with Fibra Networks AS (www.fibranet.no) to build its first GPON network in Norway using ECI�s Hi-FOCuS multiservice access node (MSAN) platform in a GPON optical line terminator configuration. Fibra chose ECI�s MSAN based on its ability to combine GPON FTTH functionality and high-speed wide-area network interfaces in a multifunction scalable platform. The GPON network enables bandwidth-intensive video services as well as Internet access and IP-based telephony, allowing Norwegian residents to have access to the full range of triple-play services.
DOKOM21 has deployed C/DWDM equipment from Transmode (www.transmode.com) in its new backbone network. DOKOM21�s new next-generation optical backbone network includes interconnection of several local exchanges in the Dortmund, Germany area as well as development of the network in the wider region. The first backbone nodes are now operational. The decision by DOKOM21 to deploy Transmode deepens an existing relationship; the carrier has been using Transmode�s TS-series optical platform since 2006.
JDSU�s (www.jdsu.com) NetComplete service assurance system and associated IP test probes have been selected by Deutsche Telekom to support delivery of its IPTV service. It ensures early recognition of changes in the quality of the streaming video signals, including any decrease in signal strength; prioritises issues based on alarm levels; identifies the cause of service quality problems; and provides reporting tools. JDSU says its system addresses challenges by constantly monitoring IPTV video streams at the most important points in the network. The end-to-end approach ensures the correlation, capture, and confirmation of network performance data necessary for top-quality transmissions, say company representatives.
Ekinops (www.ekinops.net) reveals that TelemaxX Telekommunikation GmbH, a telecommunications service provider, has deployed the Ekinops 360 optical transport platform in its network in Germany. TelemaxX is using the Ekinops 360 in its backbone, connecting more than 11 major cities, including Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, and Eppelheim. According to Ekinops, TelemaxX will be able to maximise capacity of its fibre network and eliminate amplification sites while extending its geographical reach, thanks to the new transport platforms. The Ekinops 360 platform provides aggregation of Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and STM-16 traffic over 10 Gbit/s. The capacity of the TelemaxX network can be extended further up to 32 channels at 10 Gbit/s.
Swiss municipal electric utility ewz has selected Alcatel-Lucent�s (www.alcatel-lucent.com) Triple Play Service Delivery Architecture (TPSDA) to deliver high-speed broadband voice, video, and data services to residential and business customers in Zurich. The network will provide a standards-based Open Access Network (OAN), allowing users to select services from many service providers. The contract also includes network maintenance. Under the contract, Alcatel-Lucent will deploy a complete end-to-end network, including its 7450 Ethernet service switch, the OmniSwitch 6850 Ethernet access switch, and the 5620 service aware manager for integrated network and service management, as well as residential and business customer premises devices.
Alloptic (www.alloptic.com), developer of RF over glass (RFoG) and PON equipment for cable TV, telecom, and private network operators worldwide, has announced that Hintze ITC is deploying its GEPON system in three key smart city projects in Mexico. The Alloptic access equipment is used for bidirectional communications, monitoring, and surveillance. Hintze says that its customers are leveraging the efficiency of PON to quickly and affordably expand security networks beyond where point-to-point networks could be used cost-effectively, and that Alloptic�s PON equipment allows customers to use a single infrastructure for both security and communications services.
IBM (www.ibm.com) says its scientists have built the world�s smallest nanophotonic switch with a footprint about 100� smaller than the cross-section of a human hair. The switch could be used to transfer information inside a computer chip by using photons instead of electrons. The switch could significantly speed up chip performance while using much less energy, IBM says. As many as 2,000 switches would fit side-by-side in an area of 1 mm2, easily meeting integration requirements for future multicore processors. The device is able to route a large amount of data since many different wavelengths can be switched simultaneously. With each wavelength carrying data at up to 40 Gbit/s, it is possible to switch an aggregate bandwidth exceeding 1 Tbit/s.
Tellabs (www.tellabs.com) announces that it will discontinue current GPON activities focused on Verizon (www.verizon.com). Tellabs says it will continue to be a multiproduct and services supplier to Verizon. This includes fulfillment of its contracts with the RBOC for BPON technology, a company spokesperson confirmed. The company also confirms that it will continue its current access strategy, including BPON and GPON.
Brasil Telecom GlobeNet will strengthen its North American product strategy, expanding its solutions capacity and strengthening security with an optical platform from Nokia Siemens Networks (www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com). Nokia Siemens Networks� deployment of the SURPASS hiT 7300 DWDM platform provides Brasil Telecom GlobeNet with a scalable transport backbone that accommodates the high traffic volumes required by its Tier 1 carrier customers. When the first phase of the build-out is complete, South Florida will be linked to Brasil Telecom GlobeNet�s underwater fibre-optic network, which currently connects the east coast of the United States, Bermuda, Brazil, and Venezuela.
Fujitsu Ltd. (www.fujitsu.com) and subsidiary Fujitsu Access Ltd. plan to merge and reorganise their photonic systems businesses in July. They expect the move will strengthen their photonics systems development, manufacturing, and sales operations for the Japanese market. The Fujitsu Group develops and markets optical communications systems, including WDM and SONET backbone network systems developed by Fujitsu, and GEPON access network equipment for customers in Japan developed by Fujitsu Access. The merger of the sales divisions will reinforce the sales capabilities for the photonics business, while the merger of the development and manufacturing divisions will streamline and accelerate operations, the companies believe.
Verizon Business says it is working closely with its Asian partners to activate the U.S.�mainland China portion of the Trans-Pacific Express submarine cable in July, a month in advance of the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. TPE is the first next-generation, high-capacity undersea system to link the United States with mainland China, Taiwan, and South Korea. Verizon Business teamed up with charter TPE Consortium team members China Telecom, China Netcom, China Unicom, Korea Telecom, and Chunghwa Telecom (Taiwan) to expedite the longest leg of the 18,000-km (more than 11,000 miles) cable system.
ZTE Corp. (www.zte.com.cn) says it has won a tender from Pakistan Telecommunication Co. Ltd. (PTCL), the biggest state-owned operator in Pakistan and an affiliate company of multinational carrier Etisalat, to build part of the subhead�s largest WDM backbone transmission network. The project, an expansion of the PTCL 400G WDM backbone network also exclusively won by ZTE last year, will involve the deployment of a WDM ring in Quetta and a WDM chain from Rawalpindi to Mensehra. The network coverage will span up to 6,000 km running through most of the major cities and regions, carrying more than 60% of long-haul data, voice, Internet, and other services in Pakistan. The entire network is based on IP over DWDM to run PTCL�s core IP backbone network using DWDM equipment.
Thailand�s Khon Kaen University (KKU) has implemented an all Alcatel-Lucent data network to deliver e-learning, voice, and Internet services to the faculty and its students. KKU�s Gigabit Ethernet backbone network comprises 90 km of optical fibre linking 8,500 connection points throughout the 120 buildings on campus. The network allows KKU to deliver converged services including Internet access, instant messaging, voice over IP (VoIP), video teleconferencing, and e-learning programs, say KKU representatives. The infrastructure combines Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch 7000 switches (forming the network core), OmniSwitch 6600 and 6800 switches (spread through the network for aggregating data), and OmniStack 6100 and 6300 switches (providing access for the nodes).
Fujitsu Ltd. says it will upgrade the capacity of the Southeast Asia�Middle East�Western Europe (SEA-ME-WE) 4 submarine cable network connecting numerous countries between Singapore and France. With completion scheduled in 2009, this multimillion-dollar second upgrade project will triple the existing trunk capacity of the system, enabling the network to support the increased broadband traffic requirements along the route. Under the terms of the contract, Fujitsu will upgrade the Singapore�India submarine link by deploying, installing, and commissioning additional DWDM equipment, notably its FLASHWAVE S650 for this extensive network.
Matrix Networks Pte Ltd. and PT NAP Info Lintas Nusa, together with submarine telecommunications equipment supplier Tyco Telecommunications (www.tycotelecom.com), announce the start of construction of the main lay portion of the Matrix Cable System. The 1,000-km subsea Matrix Cable System will provide robust, high-bandwidth connectivity to the currently underserved, growing Indonesian market. The design also facilitates a future connection to Perth, Australia, and discussions with a potential landing partner in Australia are underway.
Ericsson (www.ericsson.com) and Grameen CyberNet Limited, an Internet service provider in Bangladesh, have signed a contract for an FTTH network based on Ericsson�s GPON equipment. Grameen CyberNet says the move will enable it to provide advanced broadband services, such as gaming and video-on-demand services, to its customers. Per the agreement, Ericsson will deliver central office optical equipment and devices for the home based on its EDA 1500 platform, plus infrastructure such as fibre systems and cables.
Net Insight (www.netinsight.se) has received a further order from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to upgrade and expand the Eurovision Nimbra network. The order, expected to be delivered during 1Q08, contains an upgrade of the Eurovision backbone network with Net Insight�s Nimbra 680 switch as well as more Nimbra One and Nimbra 340 access nodes. The upgrade is initially driven by large requirements from the major TV broadcasters in Europe to cover the Olympic Games in Beijing.
France Telecom and Orange (www.orange.com) plan to install a submarine fibre-optic cable providing Madagascar with broadband Internet. Known as Lion, the 1,800-km cable will connect Madagascar with the region�s existing Sat3-Wasc-Safe cable. Lion will link Madagascar with the rest of the world via the islands of Reunion and Maurice, the two connection points of the Sat3-Wasc-Safe cable, which also link Europe to Asia via South Africa. The investment will be made by a consortium, including Orange Madagascar, Mauritius Telecom, and France Telecom, who will operate the cable jointly.
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. (SEI; www.sei.co.jp) says it has expanded its optical device and optical transceiver manufacturing with the opening of Sumitomo Electric Photo-Electronics Components (Suzhou) Ltd. (SPEC) in China. SEI says the new integrated production site in China adds 155,000 sq. ft. to its existing five optical component/module manufacturing plants. The company says it has established SPEC in Suzhou, China and started production in April to achieve stable supply of fibre-optic components and modules for the global optics market corresponding to the market growth and need to satisfy worldwide customers with shorter lead time.