Alcatel, the world leader in optical networking, today announced the introduction of the Alcatel 1696 Metro Span Compact, a small, low-cost Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) platform for Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) and edge applications. Based on the Alcatel 1696 Metro Span, the 1696 Metro Span Compact extends the benefits and flexibility of Metro DWDM wavelength services closer to the end user.
The 1696 Metro Span Compact leverages the advanced features of the 1696 Metro Span to provide enterprise customers or service providers with cost-effective DWDM functionality. Capable of Ring, Point-to-Point, and Spur configurations, the 1696 Metro Span Compact can be deployed in a single building, a business park, or in a small central office.
Designed to maximise optical capacity, the 1696 Metro Span Compact has the ability to concentrate up to four different types of data signals into one optical pathway. Additionally, the 1696 Metro Span Compact is fully transparent, allowing the transmission of multiple protocols and services. Because all interfaces are cross-compatible between the 1696 Metro Span and the 1696 Metro Span Compact, the need for spare cards is reduced, further minimising the cost of deployment and allowing for a smooth integration and combination of central offices and customer premises equipment in the same network.
"Since its introduction, DWDM transmission has allowed service providers to realize significant cost savings from their transport networks," said Jean-Maire Vansteenkiste. "The Alcatel 1696 Metro Span Compact continues this tradition by driving these cost savings to the edge and enterprise segments of the network. This low-cost DWDM platform allows service providers or businesses the flexibility to realise the benefits of advanced wavelength services either on-site or at the edge of their network."
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According to leading telecom market research firm RHK, Alcatel was the 2001 world leader in global optical transport - encompassing terrestrial and submarine applications - with 17% market share, in terrestrial optical transport with 14.2% market share and in submarine optical transport with 41% market share, an unprecedented achievement in the telecom industry. Alcatel`s optics business comprises optical components, optical fibres, SDH/SONET and DWDM systems, cross-connects, microwave radio links, network intelligence, and services for both terrestrial and submarine applications.
Alcatel designs, develops and builds innovative and competitive communications networks, enabling carriers, service providers and enterprises to deliver any type of content, such as voice, data and multimedia, to any type of consumer, anywhere in the world. Relying on its leading and comprehensive products and solutions portfolio, stretching from end-to-end optical infrastructures, fixed and mobile networks to broadband access, Alcatel`s customers can focus on optimising their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of 25 billion euro in 2001 and 99 000 employees, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com.
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