First Communications deploys Alcatel-Lucent next-generation optical transport system
OCTOBER 8, 2009 -- Alcatel-Lucent and First Communications have announced the successful deployment of Alcatel-Lucent's advanced multireach DWDM platform for First Communications' new high-capacity, low-latency network between Chicago and Newark/New York City.
Upgradeable to 40 Gbps, the new network is running 1G to 10G services today expanding First Communications' reach to transport customers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois via 14 cities including Chicago, Cleveland, Akron, Pittsburgh, Reading, Morristown, and Newark. First Communications plans to expand the transport services over more of its metro and long-haul fiber network spanning 4,500 route miles based on customer demand. Targets include upstate New York; Philadelphia; Wilmington; Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; Ashburn, VA; and east coast connectivity such as the transatlantic crossings on the New Jersey coast.
"The completion of this initial network deployment is a key milestone in our strategy to leverage the network assets obtained with the First Telecom Services acquisition in 2008. This event represents our continued commitment to the investment in infrastructure that will enable First Communications to provide quality service to our enterprise and carrier customers," says Ray Hexamer, chief executive officer of First Communications.
The Alcatel-Lucent optical transport system enables First Communications to carry voice, data, and video traffic over a single platform to cost-effectively address customer demand for advanced business applications such as financial and trading exchange connectivity, data center connectivity, research or education infrastructure, video applications, and carrier or regional service provider networks.
"Over the past decade, First Communications has built a highly scalable telecommunications platform, fiber-based infrastructure and support system, which represents a combination of world-class technology, and cutting-edge product offerings" says Walt Paskowski, vice president of sales for vertical markets in Alcatel-Lucent's North America region. "Our optical networking solution will help First Communications meet the growing demand for its services as it continues to expand and grow."
The touchstone of the system, Alcatel-Lucent's 1626 Light Manager, addresses increased capacity, flexibility, and manageability to support a faster time-to-market for blended Internet, video, and triple play services. The 1626 LM provides a fully tunable and reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexing architecture, enabling operators to design, plan, and operate their networks with enhanced agility.
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