Ericsson, DT test optical platform

By Staff Writer for Ericsson
Johannesburg, 16 Mar 2009

Ericsson and Deutsche Telekom (DT) have successfully completed a field trial using higher bandwidth optical transmission to meet increasing Internet demand.

Ericsson and DT are engaged in a European public-funded research and development project, called 100GET. Ericsson says in a statement the new technology (delivered in a trial using the Marconi MHL 3000 WDM platform) will accommodate broadband services in fixed and mobile broadband networks.

The cellular giant says increasing demand in video and audio files being sent over the Internet is resulting in a dramatic rise in the amount of bandwidth needing transport across the network. To cope with this extra capacity, Ericsson claims the optical industry is migrating to a series of higher-speed transport standards.

Ericsson is advancing its 100G roadmap to respond to this demand by upgrading its Marconi MHL 3000 systems.

Hans-Dieter Haag, member of CTO organisation within DT, says: "For today's and future transport networks, a flexible optical transport plane is an unquestioned necessity, both regarding technical and commercial scaling. This leverages the value of our exciting fibre assets and helps us to cope with the bandwidth-revenue paradoxes. Furthermore, it is a key technology to support our efforts in corporate sustainability and power efficiency.”

Ericsson will continue with its field trials throughout 2009, and will work closely with its customers to determine the best modulation formats to ensure the products fit future requirements, the company says.