Ericsson Launches Packet-Optical Box

STOCKHOLM -- Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) today announced a new packet optical platform that provides operators with a cost-effective and scalable solution to transport a broad range of services for mobile, residential and business customers. The newest member of the OMS 1400 family: the OMS 1460, enables operators to evolve their current TDM networks to high capacity and low cost packet-based networks and is specifically optimized for the metro packet transport.

Whether consumers access the network from home, work or while on the move; via a TV, computer, mobile phone or other device, they are using ever increasing amounts of bandwidth. For the operator, such consumer behaviour not only requires fast provision of new capacity, but also a reliable and high quality user experience, due to the demanding nature of many new web-based consumer applications. The metro is a critical juncture of the transport network and deals with traffic aggregation, grooming and consolidation. It is also especially important in ensuring service quality, network reliability and resilience.

The business reality for many operators is that the growth of high-speed packet-based services is coming during a time when revenues are not increasing at the same rate. Therefore they strive to cultivate the efficiency of each network layer in order to minimize costs. For this reason, and to be more ‘in-tune’ with the new IP Services, there is a general migration to packet-based networking underway.

For its own migration, the transport network welcomes new functionality such as the transport profile of MPLS and Ethernet ring protection, whilst other technologies like WDM, ROADM and OTN play an important role in ensuring ever increasingly more cost-effective, high bandwidth networking. All features mentioned here appear as modular options on the OMS 1460.

"Just as mobility and the Internet are converging at a rapid rate, so will packet and optical networks," said Vinai Sirkay, Head of Product Line Optical & Metro at Ericsson. "We are putting forth a pragmatic approach to packet transport by introducing a scalable and flexible family of products capable of adapting to different applications. The OMS 1460 will play a transformational role in allowing operators to meet the growing demand for consumer and business broadband services while simplifying operations and lowering costs.

Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)