Alcatel-Lucent preps MAYA-1 submarine cable system for 100G

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) says it has been awarded a contract to enhance the MAYA-1 submarine cable system to support 40-Gbps transmission, with an eye towards future 100-Gbps per-channel capacity.

Originally constructed in 2000, the 4,400 km MAYA-1 undersea cable network consists of a collapsed ring submarine fiber-optic network that connects Hollywood, FL to Tolu, Colombia. In between, the submarine cable system lands at Cancun (Mexico), Puerto Cortes (Honduras), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Half Moon Bay (Cayman Islands), and Maria Chiquita (Panama).

Alcatel-Lucent will provide the upgraded capabilities via its 1620 Light Manager submarine line terminal equipment. The system uses coherent detection-enabled transmission techniques to support high data rates and spectral efficiency.

“Investing in new capacity on the Maya-1 system will enable the system owners to address the persistent demand for capacity allowing us to satisfy current demand and giving the flexibility to upgrade the system in the future to 100G to keep pace with ever-growing capacity requirements,” according to Donnie Forbes, chairman of the MAYA-1 Upgrade #4 Working Group.

Philippe Dumont, President, Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks, added, “The communication infrastructure in Central and Latin America must be able to cope with increased broadband access requirements and with secure content delivery. Our solution offers scalability for staged upgrades that meet significant bandwidth increments over time, while protecting investments in the subsea plant.”

For more information on high-speed transmission systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.