Marconi has been selected to create one of the fastest and most efficient long-haul networks in Australia. The communications specialist will provide a high-speed optical fibre network link between the country`s west and east coast.
Franklin Pieterse, marketing director of Marconi Communications South Africa, says the win proves the company`s strength in long-distance networks such as those required locally. "It`s an important endorsement of Marconi`s ability to respond to customer requirements and deliver the latest and proven technology, providing a solid foundation to deliver broadband services," he says.
"As this particular network covers more than 3 500km, it serves as a critical prototype for South African corporations."
Under the agreement, Marconi will provide IP1, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amcom Telecommunications, with its SmartPhotoniX Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) optical networking equipment for the 3 875km link between Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. IP1 will be able to manage the entire network through Marconi`s ServiceOn network management system. This will enable end-to-end service activation and assurance for services provided to IP1 customers.
Once in operation, Amcom`s IP1 east-west fibre link will have the greatest capacity of any long-haul network deployed in Australia today. This success is Marconi`s latest major optical networking win. The company has already announced agreements with BT for the sole supply of DWDM equipment, which will be used to build Europe`s most advanced all-optical network, as well as orders from Fibernet (Germany), Telfort (Netherlands), Belgacom (Belgium) and Finnet Group of Finland.
The key technical and physical features of the IP1 east-west broadband link are:
* A high physical network security over a total route distance of 3 700km;
* Maximum separation from other carriers` long-haul optic fibre networks, thus providing surety of service and valuable redundancy to those networks; and
* DWDM transmission technology of 40 channels x 10Gbps per channel.
The first stage of the project from Melbourne to Adelaide is nearing completion. The second stage of the project is scheduled for completion in June 2002.
Marconi Communications South Africa (MCSA) employs around 750 people, with its networks, enterprise and wireless divisions and headquarters at Midrand and a manufacturing division at Springs. Empowerment group African Renaissance Holdings (ARH) holds 25% of the MCSA equity.
Marconi is a global company with over 50 000 employees. Marconi has research and development facilities in 19 countries, manufacturing operations in 16 countries, and serves customers in over 100 countries. It delivers innovative communications solutions that transform the economics of doing business, for networks, wireless and enterprise customers. Marconi plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq under the symbol MONI.
Additional information about Marconi can be found at www.marconi.com.
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