Verizon Deploys Commercial 100G Ultra-Long-Haul Optical System on Portion of Its Core European Network

On Monday (Dec. 14) Verizon became the first telecommunications carrier to successfully deploy a commercial 100G (gigabits per second) ultra-long-haul optical system for live traffic. This system was deployed on the company's European optical core network between Paris and Frankfurt. The accomplishment marks the first time for deployment of ultra-long-haul 100G using a single channel on a production network.

"This latest 100G-first gives Verizon the edge in meeting the growing bandwidth demands of our customers," said Mark Wegleitner, senior vice president of technology at Verizon. "By consolidating traffic onto one large pipe rather than several smaller ones, customers will benefit from increased network capacity, improved transmission quality and greater network efficiencies."

Sterling Perrin, senior analyst with Heavy Reading, said, "Heavy Reading's worldwide operator surveys have consistently identified strong and immediate operator demand for 100G transport. The optical industry's challenge is to commercialize 100G as soon as possible while making it economically viable. Verizon's live 100G link, an industry-first, has implications well beyond the Verizon network. This marks a big step forward on the road to wide-scale 100G transport."

Verizon is using Nortel's commercially available 100G solution to carry live Private IP traffic between Verizon's core routers over the 893-kilometer (555-mile) route without modifying the system. The 100G equipment enables Verizon to economically carry increasing amounts of IP backbone traffic when compared with an equivalent number of 10G links - the current speed for the majority of backbone traffic today. 

"Nortel is proud to have partnered with Verizon on this industry-first achievement," said Philippe Morin, president, Metro Ethernet Networks, Nortel. "The progression to 100G optical speeds is a critical next step for forward-looking service providers like Verizon. Nortel's unique 100G technology makes this evolution one that is painless to deploy while lowering total network costs."

Verizon sent a true 100G signal by using the same spacing between wavelengths that is used for a single wavelength, demonstrating the company's drive to promote 100G in a serial fashion on just one information channel. The 100G transmission was conducted on a Verizon ultra-long-haul optical system carrying other live 10G wavelengths.

By installing advanced optics and electronics on the existing network facilities, the upgrade to 100G was done easily and quickly. The objective is to implement a "plug and play" approach that avoids any changes to embedded network equipment and facilities.

Bandwidth growth has accelerated as applications such as collaboration, security services, data file transfer and video on demand have gained wider acceptance. "Beyond these drivers, we see other applications coming, such as increased-pixel TV and three-dimensional video, that will continue to push the bandwidth curve, not only in the U.S., but around the world," said Wegleitner.

Verizon has been an aggressive player in the 100G space, beginning in November 2007 when the company successfully completed the industry's first field trial of 100G optical traffic on a live system. Verizon followed with a second trial that extended the reach of the 100G signal to more than 1,000 kilometers -- the longest distance over field fiber at that time. In October 2008, the company proved that reliable signal quality could be achieved with 100G transmission.

About Nortel
Nortel Metro Ethernet Networks (MEN) delivers communications solutions that help service providers and enterprises world wide meet the ever-growing demand for bandwidth and interconnectivity.  Our innovative technologies improve efficiency and performance by simplifying networks and increasing their capacity.  Our industry-leading adaptive optical solutions enable high-capacity 40G and 100G transmission over existing fiber without complex network reengineering, expensive overlays or added compensation equipment.  Today, Nortel Metro Ethernet Networks solutions are deployed in more than 1,000 customer networks in over 65 countries.  For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news.

About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 89 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 230,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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