MUNICH -- Siemens has signed a deal with Italian telecommunications provider Retelit to expand the company's optical wide area network. The network will be enhanced with the new Siemens platform Surpass hiT 7300 based on DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) technology. As a result, the transmission capacity will be increased up to 40 gigabit per second for every single wavelength resulting into a total transmission capacity of 1.6 terabit per second. The new platform will also enable different transport services to be set up more flexibly, allowing Retelit to expand its portfolio and quickly gear network capacity to customer needs. The network is being expanded at 46 locations in Italy, with work scheduled for completion by mid-2007.

Siemens will deliver Retelit's DWDM-based fiber optic transmission network as a turnkey solution. The project will include deployment of Surpass hiT 7300, the new optical DWDM transport platform from Siemens. Alongside the platform's massive transmission capacity of up to 40 wavelengths per fiber link and up to 40 gigabit per wavelength its high degree of automation is another crucial advantage. It slashes the time required to set up new links and services. This will enable the Retelit Group, which operates throughout Italy mainly in wholesale market, to offer customers a broad array of services both cost-effectively and flexibly. In addition to conventional TDM transmission, the platform is also equipped for Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet services.

The cost-effective solution is also appealing to carriers who, thus far, have not operated DWDM-based networks. Surpass hiT 7300 makes it possible to minimize on-site work on the network and automate most of the installation process. Configuration, monitoring and software updates are either completely automated or can be handled remotely from headquarters. This helps carriers to significantly reduce network complexity, simplify system setup, operation and maintenance, and eliminate sources of error.

Managing Director of the Retelit Group Francesco Di Giovanni comments: "Renewing our optical infrastructure is a key action to achieve our industrial and financial objectives. Prompt response to customer requests for increased transmission capacity and the expansion of our broad portfolio by adding Gigabit Ethernet services are key selling points. The choice for Siemens does reinforce a technological partnership with the intention to cover the entire area of physical infrastructures, such as those of photonic and wireless (Wi-Max) systems".

Siemens Communications Group