Surf Telecoms expands its network with Transmode

Surf Telecoms, a UK telecommunications carrier, is deploying a new backbone infrastructure using WDM optical equipment from Transmode Systems AB. The deployment will increase the carrier's existing fiber-optic network capacity and extend its reach from the South West into the West Midlands.

Surf Telecoms' deployment of Transmode's optical networking systems began in 2011 and will be split into a two-phase build. The project starts with an upgrade of Surf's existing infrastructure in the South West and Wales. This is followed by a new network across the Midlands, which will support increased customer demand and the predicted growth of network traffic in the region.

"This new network from Transmode will enable us to future-proof our infrastructure so that we can rapidly respond to our customer's needs, provision new services and increase bandwidth on demand," said Richard Doble, design and policy manager at Surf Telecoms. "In making our selection of vendor it was refreshing that Transmode's approach was consultative. Not only did they help design the network, they gave good advice about how to scale it without over engineering and so keeping our costs down."

The new network was jointly designed to provide a highly flexible national infrastructure at low cost with new protected 40 channel rings in South Wales and the Midlands. The additional deployment will add over 650 km to Surf's existing network footprint.

The iWDM equipment chosen includes Transmode's TM-Series Multi-Service Access Solution, the Layer 2 Ethernet Muxponder (EMXP) as well as reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADMs) to ensure that Surf is able to deliver high-speed services over a state-of-the-art network without incurring long-term operational costs.

Doble commented "With [this upgrade], we are in a position to be able to offer our customers new services while helping them to migrate from E1 to Ethernet and IP services. The network will enable Surf Telecoms to provide highly flexible Ethernet and wavelength services to customers across the South West, South Wales, the Midlands and up to Lincolnshire."

For more information on DWDM equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.