Alcatel Enhances Fiber

PARIS -- Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA), worldleader in intelligent optical networking, today announced the availabilityof a new optical fiber for use in telecommunication applications. Theenhanced single mode fiber (E-SMF), available today, will reduce ongoingcosts for network operators by adding about a third more wavelengths to theusable spectrum and extending transmission reach by 50%.Alcatel's E-SMF advancements include a focus on reducing the fiber'sattenuation, or signal loss. In key operating wavelengths, the maximumattenuation is decreased thereby creating important network efficienciesand reducing operating costs. In an additional operating range, thereduction is even greater and results in the availability of more bandwidthon a given fiber. The lower attenuation provides economical means foradditional bandwidth on Alcatel's new fiber, and the ability to span longerdistances without signal regeneration.Also noteworthy is the marked improvement in its polarization modedispersion (PMD) performance. PMD is a naturally occurring opticalphenomenon that has a critical impact on system operation at very high datatransmission rates, or long distances. The improved PMD capabilities ofAlcatel's E-SMF can increase the usable system distance by more than half.The advancements found in Alcatel's E-SMF enables operation of the fiber inadditional frequency bands, and improves performance at high data rates(above 10 Gbit/s), and over longer distances."The innovations in our new enhanced single mode fiber, E-SMF, will providenetwork operators with significant flexibility and outstandingperformance," said Bernard Le Mouël, chief technology officer of Alcatel?sOptics Group. "As networks and applications evolve, this fiber will allowcost effective growth and options previously unavailable with standardsingle mode products."Alcatel SA