Portugal Telecom demos 100 Gbps over its optical fiber network

NOVEMBER 29, 2010 -- Portugal Telecom has demonstrated a 100-Gbps connection between Lisbon and Oporto using equipment from Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU).

The demonstration showcased end-to-end optical/IP 100-Gbps connectivity across an existing active DWDM link covering more than 400 km. The link used Alcatel-Lucent’s 1626 Light Manager enhanced with 100G coherent technology and the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Router equipped with 100 Gigabit Ethernet cards for IP/MPLS routing and services..

“In keeping with industry trends, we’re expecting that video will account for well over half of our consumer traffic. This kind of demand requires higher-speed, higher-capacity technology,” said Alfredo Baptista, Portugal Telecom CTO. “This fully integrated IP/optical 100G connection, together with the previously announced evolution of our fiber access network with GPON and 10GPON technologies [see "Portugal Telecom, Alcatel-Lucent to trial symmetrical 10G GPON"], is one further step towards a Next Generation Network with full end-to-end IP connectivity with high quality standards and very high speeds, being these unique characteristics not replicable on other type of technologies.

Portugal Telecom recently reaffirmed its commitment to invest in its optical fiber network to the customer home with the objective of covering another 600,000 houses in addition to the over 1 million homes already serviced by the network. The network expansion will use about 300,000 km of fiber and shall involve approximately 1500 people between PT collaborators and external suppliers. Once complete, PT’s fiber network will reach over 50% of homes in Portugal.

“The upgrading of service provider networks to 100G will be a major focus and business area for several years to come and these speeds will become the new currency of IP and optical networks,” said Adolfo Hernandez, president of Alcatel-Lucent’s activities in EMEA. “This demonstration brings to light the years of investment PT has made on future proof optical and IP infrastructure which is compatible with today’s 100G technology.”

Visit Alcatel-Lucent