AT&T Completes 100G Ethernet Field Trial

DALLAS -- AT&T* today announced the successful completion of a live network environment field trial of 100-Gigabit backbone network technology. The trial advances development of the next generation of backbone network technology that will support growing volumes of wireless and wired Internet and data traffic in the years to come.

During the trial, AT&T field tested the new Cisco CRS-3 Carrier Routing System, conducting a standards-ready, single-flow, 100-Gigabit technology trial in a live network environment. For this test, AT&T used Opnext 100 Gigabit CFP client side modules and Ixia’s “K2” 100 Gigabit traffic generator and analyzer.

AT&T’s trial also demonstrated a single-carrier 100-Gigabit transmission with real-time coherent processing on a 900-kilometer deployed ultra long-haul transport link between Louisiana and Florida using Opnext optical equipment.

The successful field trial is the latest example of AT&T innovation in advanced IP networking technology. AT&T in 2008 completed the world’s largest deployment of current industry-standard 40-Gigabit network technology in its U.S. IP backbone network. And in 2008 and 2009, the company led teams that completed two lab trials of 100 Gigabit technology that set new records for bandwidth transmission. The 100-Gigabit technology is expected to be ready for commercial deployment over the next few years.

“This successful field trial is a key milestone in our ongoing effort to deliver the industry’s most advanced and capable IP backbone network,” said John Donovan, AT&T’s Chief Technology Officer. “The AT&T IP backbone network today carries nearly 19 petabytes of traffic on an average business day, supporting our wireless, wired and enterprise customers’ ever-growing demand for wireless and wired broadband applications. Research and development milestones like our 100-Gigabit trials help to ensure that the AT&T network is always ready to meet our customers’ needs.”

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T)