GlobeNet plans undersea cable network upgrades

OCTOBER 26, 2010 -- GlobeNet , an international wholesale provider of submarine capacity, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Oi (Bovespa: TNLP3, TNLP4, TMAR3, TMAR5, TMAR6 and NYSE: TNE), says its plans to upgrade the capacity on its undersea cable network connecting the Americas by 200 Gbps. The upgrade will boost the network from 360 Gbps to 560 Gbps of total lit network capacity.

In response to the bandwidth demands from its customers, GlobeNet says it has successfully completed a network trial to ensure its optical transmission technology can support this upgrade. As a result, GlobeNet awarded Alcatel-Lucent and Xtera Communications, Inc., respectively, 100-Gbps contracts. The new network capacity deployment is scheduled to be complete by first quarter 2011 with further plans by GlobeNet to upgrade to a 1.44-Tbps network thereafter.

The GlobeNet submarine network features landing points in Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza (Brazil), Maiquetía (Venezuela), St. David's (Bermuda), Boca Raton and Tuckerton, NJ.

"Here at GlobeNet, we trial, test, and deploy the latest in technology innovations to ensure our network is and remains cutting edge," states Erick W. Contag, chief operating officer of GlobeNet. "In order to cater to our carrier clients' needs for today as well as tomorrow, we are upgrading our network capacity substantially. With additional bandwidth availability, our carrier customers will continue to have the necessary fiber-optic infrastructure to ensure secure data transmissions and increased Internet-based services in and between the Americas."