SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- A first-ever demonstration of 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GbE) technology by a team of industry leaders, including Finisar, Infinera, Internet2, Level 3 Communications, and University of California at Santa Cruz, shows that 100GbE technology is viable and capable of implementation in existing optical networks with 10 Gigabit/second (Gb/s) wavelengths. This breakthrough trial also highlights how next-generation technology can address the emerging bandwidth needs of network providers and their users as advanced Internet-based applications continue to proliferate.

The system successfully transmitted a 100GbE signal from Tampa, Florida to Houston, Texas, and back again, over ten 10 Gb/s channels through the Level 3 network. This is the first time a 100GbE signal has been successfully transmitted through a live production network. The 100GbE system will be on display from November 14th to the 16th at the Infinera booth (Booth no. 1157) at the SC06 International Conference in Tampa. The system will be transmitting a 100GbE signal to the Internet2 booth (Booth no. 1451) during the show.

"This successful demonstration shows that this concept of 100GbE over 10x10 Gb/s DWDM works and provides a near future implementation path," said Dr. Daryl Inniss, vice president of Ovum-RHK's Communication Components research.

Finisar Corp. (Nasdaq: FNSR)

Infinera Corp. (Nasdaq: INFN)

Internet2

Level 3 Communications Inc. (NYSE: LVLT)