Electric Lightwave Deploys Nortel's High-Capacity Optical Networking Solution

Strategic Insights -

Electric Lightwave, a leading integrated communications provider, has deployed Nortel's high-capacity optical networking solution in a 3,000-mile western SONET ring. The network will carry traffic over a high-capacity network scalable up to 320 Gbps, using Nortel's 10 Gbps four-fiber ring architecture with Dense-Wavelength Division Multiplexing (D-WDM) and will be in service by the third quarter of 1999. This agreement is estimated at $150 million over a five-year period. Electric Lightwave's Network Control Center (NCC) will feature Nortel's Integrated Network Management (INM) solution, enabling the company to manage its long haul networks and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) efficiently.

Key Takeaways:

  • Electric Lightwave will deploy Nortel's high-capacity optical networking solution in a 3,000-mile western SONET ring.
  • The network will carry traffic at a capacity of up to 320 Gbps using Nortel's 10 Gbps four-fiber ring architecture with D-WDM.
  • The contract is valued at $150 million over a five-year period.
  • Electric Lightwave's NCC will feature Nortel's INM solution for efficient network management.
  • The company's long haul routes already include links between major cities in the western United States.
  • Electric Lightwave has a presence in 83 municipalities and offers a full range of telecommunications services to its customers.
  • The network will be configured in four-fiber BLSR for ultimate reliability and bandwidth management.
  • Nortel's MOR Plus System supports up to 32 wavelengths, enabling Electric Lightwave's network to carry 320 Gbps per fiber.
  • The MOR Plus System also supports voice and data traffic at 2.5 and 10 Gbps on a single fiber.

Statistics:

  • The 3,000-mile western SONET ring will be deployed by Electric Lightwave.
  • The network will carry traffic at a capacity of up to 320 Gbps.
  • The contract is valued at $150 million over a five-year period.
  • Electric Lightwave's presence spans 83 municipalities.
  • The network will be configured in four-fiber BLSR for ultimate reliability and bandwidth management.
  • Nortel's MOR Plus System supports up to 32 wavelengths per fiber.
  • The MOR Plus System enables Electric Lightwave's network to carry voice and data traffic at 2.5 and 10 Gbps on a single fiber.

Sources:

  • Electric Lightwave Press Release dated September 15, 1998
  • Northern Telecom Limited Press Release dated September 15, 1998
  • PR Newswire article dated September 15, 1998