MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- Altamar Networks, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ditech Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DITC), today announced ultra-long reach (ULR) capabilities for its Titanium Optical Networking System that is currently under development. The addition of the ULR technology will allow Altamar to lower the cost of optical core networks by significantly extending the distance an optical signal can travel without the need for expensive electrical regeneration. Altamar's transponder-based technology is unique in that it provides ULR capability using existing EDFA technology and without the use of expensive technology utilized in conventional LR and ULR DWDM networks. Designed to work with existing fiber infrastructure, the ULR technology supports a broad range of fibers and enables the transmission of 160 10Gbs wavelengths over 2500 km without Raman amplifiers and over 3500 km utilizing Raman amplifiers. The addition of Raman amplification and automated link tuning extends Titanium's capabilities for more different applications. "Lowering the cost of DWDM transport is the key design criteria for our engineering staff," said Ian Wright, CTO and senior vice president of optical engineering "The addition of our ULR capabilities will enable Altamar to provide the most complete and cost effective solution for our customers. While most physical core network links are less than 1000km, actual end-to-end traffic can routinely span 2 to 3 times that distance. This is particularly true for Internet traffic which, despite the telecom slowdown, remains the fastest growing, traffic segment in the network. With the extended reach of Titanium coupled with its flexible scaling capabilities, we believe carriers will be able to cost-effectively add capacity in increments commensurate with traffic growth." Altamar Networks Inc.