BEIJING -- China Netcom Corporation (CNC), one of the major telecommunications carriers in China, today announced that it has selected Luminous Networks’ PacketWave Optical Access Switches for deployment in the major Metropolitan Area Networks in China. Luminous is shipping its carrier-class optical Ethernet platform to CNC, as part of CNC’s aggressive build-out of a large-scale, high-speed fiber network that encompasses both long-haul and Metropolitan Area Networks. China Netcom will use Luminous’ PacketWave optical access switches to deliver services in the Metropolitan Area Access Networks beginning in Shanghai and Guangzhou.

“As we embark on one of the most ambitious telecommunications projects in the world, CNC demands a multi-service platform that reliably delivers both data traffic and toll-quality voice services over our trans-China network,” stated Chareleson Zheng, chief operating officer of China Netcom. “We are convinced that the Luminous PacketWave optical switches provide us with the most economical and reliable platform for Metropolitan Area Networks, which will give us a competitive edge as we build out our fiber optic infrastructure in China.”

In a separate release:

CUPERTINO, Calif. -- Luminous Networks, Inc., the first provider of carrier-class optical Ethernet platforms for Metropolitan Area Networks, today announced a partnership with Photonic Bridges to open sales and distribution channels for Luminous throughout China. Photonic Bridges, the first end-to-end optical/data internetworking system integrator in China, has responsibility for marketing, distribution, implementation, and customer care support of Luminous’ optical packet networking products throughout China.

Luminous Networks Inc.