Nortel offers Ethernet access solution to support bandwidth-hungry users by preventing network traffic jams

September 30, 2008

3 Min Read

TORONTO -- Nortel * [NYSE/TSX: NT ] and LG-Nortel are introducing a new Ethernet Access solution to help service providers prevent bandwidth bottlenecks in the critical "first mile" of their networks. This will allow for faster and more reliable delivery of data between high-speed core networks and individual user access points. The Ethernet Access technology was developed by LG-Nortel, a joint venture of LG Electronics and Nortel.

Designed to clear up first mile network traffic jams, caused by bandwidth-hungry applications such as HD video, Nortel's Ethernet Access solution is one of the industry's first to use Wave Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Network (WDM-PON) architecture. This technology makes it possible to divide a single optical fiber into multiple wavelengths, each capable of carrying the same bandwidth that previously required an entire fiber. The approach powers the Internet to ultra-fast speeds to the first mile by giving each user their own wavelength delivering dedicated bandwidth straight to their home or business.

The dedicated bandwidth in Nortel's Ethernet Access solution provides network users with more security over connections which are always available, and never stalled or slowed down by other traffic on the network. The solution also offers service provider future benefits with a foundation for moving forward, starting with speeds of 100 Mbps and easily scalable to add more bandwidth for future needs without having to change the infrastructure.

In the hyperconnected world, where the number and types of devices connected to networks is outpacing the number of people using them, consumers want to access such bandwidth-hungry services as HD video on demand quickly, without waiting hours for a download to complete. Today's networks often fall short in supporting these major demands for bandwidth because the first mile connection from the network core to a user's home or business is shared among many different users, causing network traffic jams, security issues and serious slowing of upload and download speeds, especially at certain times of day when Internet traffic is heavy.

"Think of the network's bandwidth traffic as millions of cars on an ultra-fast highway," said Peter MacKinnon , president and chairman, LG-Nortel. "Today, many 'cars' get stuck in traffic jams on access ramps as they travel that first mile to enter the highway or as they travel to their final destination. Nortel's Ethernet Access solution gives each car its own off and on ramp by dedicating a single wavelength for each user. The solution is fast and secure because it is not shared with anyone else."

In a separate release:

TORONTO -- UNET plans to deliver ultra high-speed Internet for homes and businesses across the Netherlands using a new Nortel* [NYSE/TSX: NT ] Ethernet Access solution . The Netherlands-based broadband service provider is a key player in next-generation IP networking and broadband services concentrating on business-to-business and wholesale market segments in The Netherlands.

A constant challenge for service providers like UNET lies in overcoming the first-mile bandwidth bottleneck and increasing Average Revenue Per User. Nortel's Ethernet Access solution, using Wave Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Network (WDM-PON) architecture, solves this by using the existing optical backbone and enabling multiple wavelengths to be carried over the existing optical fiber. This approach delivers ultra high-speed Internet services in the critical first mile by enabling service providers to offer dedicated bandwidths straight to homes and businesses. The approach hugely simplifies the implementation and turn-up of the network to enable delivery of value-added services and next-generation bandwidth hungry multimedia services.

"Multi-user, multi-device small to medium sized enterprises and homes are very much a part of the communications landscape in The Netherlands," said Ger Bakker, director of technology, UNET. "We see the optimization of UNET's fiber-optics backbone network using Nortel's Ethernet Access solution as essential to the future of broadband for these homes and businesses. Our plans include using UNET's optical network to provide entire communities outside of major city centers with fiber-to-the-business infrastructures."

Nortel Networks Ltd.

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