Ericsson launches WDM metropolitan solution

Ericsson launches WDM metropolitan solution Ericsson's new ERION Metro solution uses a unique traffic protection concept that enables operators to build high capacity, telecom-grade WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) optical networks. ERION Metro delivers the high level of network availability required for datacom and multimedia applications in a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). Network operators can deploy Ericsson's ERION WDM solutions to boost the capacity of their installed fiber optic networks by beyond 64 times - with telecom-grade characteristics. Each fiber pair, split into 64 channels or more, can, for example carry 10 Gbps per channel at the same time. The ERION Metro solution also reuses channels at any node in a ring to make bandwidth available for new signals, true wavelength re-use. With the ERION (Ericsson Optical Networking) portfolio, operators can build ring networks so they can guarantee higher availability to users. Better protection of data traffic is achieved also for applications based on IP, ATM or digital video protocols that do not have protection built in. ERION offers multibit rate support, i.e. 100 Mbps to 2 Gbps in one unit, enabling operators to be prepared for bandwidth growth. In addition a 10 Gbps unit is also offered. "ERION Metro has been designed to meet the specific needs of operators for a short-haul optical solution - up to 100 kilometers ring circumference - where flexibility and reliability are needed to handle increasing volumes of IP and data traffic. The requirements are for a solution that is economic, flexible, reliable and able to grow in line with traffic expansion," says Per O. Andersson, General Manager of Optical Networking Research at Ericsson. When entering into true optical networking, the ERION network management system allows optical circuits to be created, routed and managed using the dynamic features of the optical cross-connects and add-drop multiplexers. Ericsson has secured contracts with many of the world's leading operators for diverse ERION WDM solutions, including IP on WDM, ATM on WDM, video on WDM, Gigabit Ethernet on WDM and SDH/PDH on WDM. AOL, BT, Mannesmann, Sonera and Telefónica are major operators that are implementing Ericsson's WDM solutions. Ericsson offers a strong portfolio of solutions for transport networks. Over 70 operators of wireline networks in more than 100 countries have already selected transport solutions from Ericsson. In wireless transport, Ericsson holds a very strong position with MINI-LINK, its highly successful microwave product family - holding more than one third of the world market - more than double that of its nearest competitor. Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers - network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over. Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Johan Wiklund, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 560 0134; E-mail: johan.wiklund@lme.ericsson.se Per O. Andersson, General Manager, WDM Systems Ericsson Business Unit Transmission Solutions Phone: +46 8 719 4854; E-mail: per.o.andersson@etx.ericsson.se Ake Lidstrom, Communications Director, WDM Systems Ericsson Business Unit Transmission Solutions Phone: +44 1403 277 200; E-mail: ake.lidstrom@etl.ericsson.se Background Information The ERION portfolio provides operators with WDM products needed to build high-capacity, multi-layered optical networks to efficiently manage the bandwidth needed for new multimedia applications. ERION consists of a complete range of WDM products that minimizes costs by permitting the use of existing transport network equipment while simultaneously multiplying the capacity per fiber and offering integrated protection at the optical layer. ERION Metro employs a sophisticated channel protection scheme that can be used optionally on a per channel basis. If protection is not required, the ring can be realized with a single fiber instead of a fiber pair. Furthermore, ERION Metro does not require optical amplifiers, giving a very cost-effective solution for the metropolitan part of the network. The ERION FlexRing launched last year, is optimized for Wide Area Metropolitan (WAM) networks with a ring circumference of up to some 500 kilometers. It addresses the network part just above the metro access layer, a maximum of 100 kilometers circumference, which is covered by ERION Metro. ERION FlexRing supports a network topology that includes hubbing and meshing between the nodes, and it has been widely implemented in North America and Europe for applications including IP, CATV, Gigabit Ethernet and SDH/SONET. ERION also offers 'plug and play' channel upgrades, simplifying bandwidth expansions for operators. Ericsson's WDM solutions are based on optical network elements built on a common, modular and scalable platform. The ERION portfolio includes the following network element types: Optical Terminal Multiplexers (OTMs), Optical Add-Drop Multiplexers (OADMs), Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexers (OADM-Rs) and Optical Cross-Connects (OXCs). To read more about Ericsson's WDM portfolio ERION (Ericsson Optical Networking), see: http://www.ericsson.com/transmission/wdm/index.shtml or press releases at: http://www.ericsson.com/pressroom/Archive/1999Q1/19990217-0020.html http://www.ericsson.com/pressroom/Archive/1999Q3/19990706-0009.html http://www.ericsson.com/pressroom/Archive/1999Q3/19990915-0065.html