Network Design

Nortel Networks extends OPTera Metro Multiservice Platform with CWDM Enclosure for MSOs

Dec. 2, 2003

2 December 2003 Anaheim, CA Lightwave--Nortel Networks unveiled a product for cable operators that works with the company's OPTera Metro 5000 Multiservice Platform to enable broadband optical services to schools, local businesses and other enterprises while leveraging existing fiber.

Building on its broad line of optical transport solutions for the cable market, Nortel Networks introduced the OPTera Metro 5000 CWDM Enclosure, at the Western Cable Show. This product is designed to increase network flexibility in delivering Gigabit Ethernet, storage connectivity, and other optical broadband services to customer premises.

Multiple system operators (MSOs) can use the CWDM Enclosure outdoors to aggregate CWDM optical channels from various customer premises over a single fiber pair. The product can also be placed in basements of multi-tenant buildings to provide customers with private, multi-protocol, optical wavelength services.

"Nortel Networks is in a unique position to help cable operators address new revenue opportunities and drive reduced operational expenditures as we continue to expand on our cable strategy and increase our focus on this market," said Rob Wood, vice president, Global Cable Solutions, Nortel Networks. "Introduction of the CWDM Enclosure demonstrates the commitment we have to this strategic market."

The CWDM Enclosure is the latest addition to Nortel Networks line of optical solutions for the cable market. Nortel Networks provides comprehensive, integrated, cable solutions spanning video and video-on-demand, voice and multimedia communications, high speed data services, managed network services for business customers, and next generation access.

"When it comes to selling high-speed data services to commercial customers, many cable TV operators are disadvantaged by limited bandwidth," said Mike Paxton, senior analyst, In-Stat/MDR. "Nortel Networks new CWDM enclosure product allows operators to push their fiber networks closer to the end-user, effectively increasing the available bandwidth to both commercial and residential customers."

Nortel Networks OPTera Metro 5000 Multiservice Platform provides proven DWDM and CWDM optical solutions with more than 10,000 network elements deployed and 27,000 wavelengths lit as of year-end 2003. Nortel Networks was the leader in total optical transport and metro DWDM from1999-2002, according to the Dell'Oro Group.