With Nortel Networks OPTera Metro Multiservice platforms featuring DWDM, SBC, through its operating companies, will deliver its Multi-Service Optical Networking (MON) service and Data CPE product offerings (see SBC Offers Enterprises Efficient, Scalable Way to Connect Mainframes, Data Centers and Storage Networks within Metropolitan Areas, Oct. 3, 2001, news release) to customers seeking native protocol, high bandwidth optical connectivity in a metropolitan area.

SBC has demonstrated its commitment to offer the best services to its customers by adopting the industry’s latest in optical platform solutions, said Brian McFadden, president, Metro Optical Solutions, Nortel Networks. With Nortel Networks industry-leading Metro Optical portfolio, SBC can maintain a competitive edge creating new revenue-generating services and accelerating the time-to-market of these services.

Large carrier deployment of DWDM-based services is a transformational event for the industry. The hardware, software, and management system integration of Nortel Networks Metro Optical portfolio will dramatically reduce operational complexity, making the metro DWDM an economically viable solution for large carriers, such as SBC, continued McFadden.

We expect demand for wavelength-based metro services to grow as enterprises have a strong need for more reliable bandwidth. Nortel Networks relationship with SBC puts it in a strong position to be a leader in the metro market, said Grier Hansen, Current Analysis. This type of wavelength service offering is a significant development and will help fuel growth in the metro optical market.

Nortel Networks DWDM capabilities enable SBC to offer customers an efficient and scalable way to connect mainframes, data centers and storage networks within a metropolitan area, said Mike Reddout, vice president, Data Networking, SBC Communications. By using Nortel Networks optical products, SBC will accelerate its build out of optical technologies and greatly enhance its optical networking and Data CPE product portfolio.

The SBC MON service will utilize Nortel Networks OPTera Metro 5200 Multiservice Platform. SBC’s Data CPE product will also incorporate the Nortel Networks OPTera Metro 3500 next-generation SONET platform. The ability of the OPTera Metro 5200 to support a wide variety of protocols and bit-rates will allow service providers to leverage their existing metro fiber infrastructures, differentiate service offerings, and create new revenue opportunities.

The OPTera Metro 5200 and 3500 are a part of Nortel Networks complete, flexible, and industry-leading Metro Optical portfolio of DWDM, next-generation SONET, and Optical Ethernet products currently deployed in over 1,000 customer networks in 45 countries. According to the Dell ‘Oro Group report for the second quarter of 2001, Nortel Networks continues to hold the number one position in the metro DWDM market. Today’s announcement follows 11 new contracts, which include Metro Optical solutions, announced by Nortel Networks since May 2001.

SOURCE: COMPANY PRESS RELEASE