Hutchison 3G UK ("Hutchison 3G") announced an agreement with 186k, the telecommunications business of Lattice Group, to provide a nationwide fibre optic network and co-location services. The value of the agreements was not disclosed.
Under a separate agreement also announced, Hutchison 3G has chosen Nortel Networks (NYSE/TSE: NT) to provide 10 gigabits per second per channel dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) optical equipment to light 186k's fibre optic network and to provide the connection between the fibre network and Hutchison 3G's wireless network.
186k's twenty-year agreement will provide Hutchison 3G with 'dark fibre' capacity across its entire network, which will span nearly 2,000 kms and connect 20 major centres of demand across the UK when operational at the end of 2001. Hutchison 3G is the first customer to take advantage of 186k's network, which is designed specifically to carry the huge quantities of multimedia traffic generated by 3G mobile and other broadband services.
Nortel Networks has agreed to install Nortel Networks OPTera Long Haul 1600 Optical Line System, a DWDM solution scaleable to 1.6 terabits per second per fibre. The agreement with Nortel Networks also provides for the Hutchison 3G network to be supported by Nortel Networks Preside network management, a key part of Nortel Networks Smart Management System. Equipment is expected to be installed at 24 sites and lit in three stages. Completion is scheduled by the end of February 2002.
About Hutchison 3G UK:
Hutchison 3G UK Ltd. ("Hutchison 3G") holds licence 'A' (a third-generation mobile licence), which was issued by the UK government in May 2000. This licence consists of 15mhz of paired spectrum, and 5mhz of unpaired spectrum. For more information, visit www.hutchison3g.com.
About 186k:
186k is a next-generation communications company delivering the network infrastructure for broadband communications in the UK. For more information, visit www.186k.co.uk.
About Nortel Networks:
Nortel Networks is a global provider of networking and communications solutions and infrastructure for service providers and corporations. For more information, visit www.nortelnetworks.com.