Alcatel today announced a multi-million Euro contract to help build the Taiwan Advanced Research and Education Network (TWAREN), Taiwan`s first optical network built for academic purposes. Alcatel has been awarded the project by Eastern Broadband Telecom (EBT), a leading telecom operator in Taiwan, which in turn secured a framework bid from the Taiwan Government. As part of the "e-Taiwan Plan," one of the government`s initiatives to revamp its economy, TWAREN will enhance the country`s information infrastructure by facilitating content-rich applications, such as e-learning and video-on-demand, as well as extending local research institutes` connections with peer communities throughout the world.
Under the terms of the contract, Alcatel will provide its 1686 WM dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) system, operating at a speed up to 10 Gbit/s to enable enhanced, cost-effective communications and information sharing among Taiwan`s academic and research groups. The implementation of the TWAREN project will also allow EBT to further expand its network capacity, thus optimizing service delivery and empowering network performance. The new network will leverage the operational benefits provided by Alcatel`s network management solution, which monitors EBT`s installed base.
"EBT is pleased to have been selected for the TWAREN project, and to once again work with Alcatel on such an important implementation," said L.T. Wang, Chief Executive Officer of EBT. "We selected Alcatel because of its ability to provide advanced solutions that meet the flexibility, reliability and cost/performance ratio we require for such mission-critical applications."
"This award confirms Alcatel`s ability to support complex governmental projects designed for national educational initiatives," stated Gerard Galbe, General Manager of Alcatel`s optical networks and wireless transmission activities in Taiwan. "Alcatel`s WDM solutions offer scalable and cost-effective platforms to reliably address the growing need for efficient transmission of bandwidth-intensive services among the academic and research community."
Share
Eastern Broadband Telecom (EBT) is the first established private operator of fixed network telecommunications in Taiwan. EBT was founded with paid-in capital of NT$65.68 billion. Following the corporate principles of "Innovation, Convergence and Speed", EBT is the leader of Taiwan`s broadband telecom industry and has successfully integrated communications, computer, CATV and content to provide the complete services of "4C Convergence" with its 100 per cent broadband telecom networks and services.
Alcatel 1686 WM
The Alcatel 1686 WM system supports up to 32 wavelength channels working at different channel bit-rates up to 10 Gbit/s. Different wavelengths that can support several traffic signals that are used along the same fiber route. High performances for very long multi-span applications are obtained through wide-band in-line amplifier and Forward Error Correction devices while optical add-drop capabilities, partially re-configurable, are used in the intermediate nodes for partial traffic termination. Thanks to its Performance Monitoring features, the Alcatel 1686 WM allows for monitoring the Quality of Service according to a customer`s Service Level Agreement.
Alcatel
Alcatel provides end-to-end communications solutions, enabling carriers, service providers and enterprises to deliver contents to any type of user, anywhere in the world. Leveraging its long-term leadership in telecommunication network equipment as well as its expertise in applications and network services, Alcatel enables its customers to focus on optimizing their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of EURO 16.5 billion in 2002, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
Editorial contacts