Telstra Picks Marconi Gear

LONDON and MELBOURNE -- Marconi (MONI) has been selected as one of two preferred suppliers of next generation 10G, or Gigabits per second (Gbps), Dense Wave Division Multiplexer (DWDM) and Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) products for the inter-capital, metropolitan and regional networks of Telstra Corporation in Australia.

Under the frame agreement, Marconi is positioned to supply hardware as well as commissioning and support services to Telstra when the carrier upgrades its transmission network to 10Gbps capacity. The upgrade will be scheduled in accordance with customer and network requirements.

Marconi's next-generation optical and SDH products will allow Telstra to seamlessly upgrade its existing 2.5Gbps transmission network, which already includes a large proportion of Marconi technology, in an economic and responsive fashion.

Telstra's managing director, Wireline & Wireless, Mr Ken Benson, said: 'We have undertaken a thorough technical and economic evaluation of proposals from a number international vendors. We are confident that the vendors we have chosen will enable us to cost efficiently meet the evolving needs of our customers and maintain our leading industry position.'

'The speed and capacity offered by moving to 10Gbps is an important component of Telstra's plans to provide residential and business customers with high quality broadband services,' Mr Benson said.

Commenting on the signing, Paul Butcher, managing director, Marconi Australia, said: 'We are delighted to be selected as a preferred supplier for our suite of next-generation DWDM and SDH products to Telstra. This gives us the opportunity to have a significant impact on how its network provides for its customers' needs in an increasingly broadband-oriented world.'

Marconi plc

Telstra Corp.