New Products Increase Cost Efficiencies for Regional Telcos;
Enable Newer, Faster Telecoms Services
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Targeted at regional telecoms operators and larger enterprise customers visiting the GITEX 2002 exhibition, Marconi today launched its next-generation of synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) products, branded Series 4, in the Middle East.
Marconi’s new SDH range is designed to offer Middle East’s telecoms service providers with immediate improvements to their core and metropolitan networks, as well as a flexible evolution path towards integrated optical networking.
The new generation of products is set to boost the cost-efficiency of Marconi’s SDH client base in the region, which includes Q-Tel, Omantel, Batelco, and ETISALAT.
"Marconi has the largest installed base of SDH in the world, and SDH remains the technology of choice for the Middle East’s major operators as they continue to grow their networks and migrate towards more data-centric networking," commented John Marshall, Regional Sales Director, Marconi.
"Our new SDH products provide enhanced performance and functionality that will enable regional telecoms operators to match demand for newer and faster services while increasing profitability” Marshall continued.
New Marconi Technology Meets Changing Regional Demands
The continued growth of voice and data traffic in the Middle East, plus regional telecoms provider’s demand for scalable solutions that allow them to build on their existing infrastructures, make this an ideal time for Marconi to launch its new SDH technology.
At the same time, corporate users in the region are increasingly seeking greater connectivity to operators’ networks because of the growth in demand for high-bandwidth services, which is also better served by Marconi latest SDH products.
To further integrate its customers’ networks and increase ease of operation, Marconi has also announced the development of a new multi-layer switch (MLS) for optical networks, which will be available in 2003. The new MLS technology will integrate elements of SDH and DWDM into a single product that will improve network utilisation, significantly reduce electrical regeneration costs, and deliver high levels of scalability and flexibility for the Middle East’s telecoms operators.
"Marconi's new range of optical products, including the multi-layer switch currently in development, addresses the shifting needs of regional telecoms providers,” Marshall added.
“Our new technology increases our customers' choice and will expand the services they can offer their end-users around the Middle East. Marconi has consistently been the first choice as networking partner for the region’s telecoms leaders, and our innovations will enable us to retain that status,” he concluded.
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Notes to Editors
Series 4 SMA
Series 4 is Marconi’s latest evolution of its SMA Add/Drop Multiplexer (ADM) range. The product family will be deployed in the metro access and metro core segments and in customer premises. Series 4 SMA multiplexers will be used to consolidate traffic and are compatible with their preceding family, providing an easy migration path for Marconi’s installed base. Series 4 SMA supports ATM and IP with enhanced data functionality. The new family is managed by Marconi’s common management platform, ServiceOn Optical.
SMA16-64
SMA16-64 advanced ADM and low-order aggregator is a brand new platform, delivering 2.5G and 10G transport with full-connectivity VC-12 granularity. It is a highly compact platform with full data transport capabilities. The product will typically be deployed in the metro core and can be used as an ADM or as a Digital Cross Connect (DXC). Its full connectivity and VC-12 granularity allows single-layer access for metro networks, eliminating the need for a separate VC-4 later, giving savings in planning and hardware.
The SMA16-64 is approximately 10% smaller than comparable products, giving additional savings in operating costs. Despite the reduction in floor space, the SMA 16-64 has an unprecedented interface card density.
Switching strategy
Marconi’s switching strategy simplifies and reduces the cost of DXC implementation. It combines the simplicity and cost base of ADMs with the power of cross connects (XCs) to create a scaleable solution that forms the corner stone of all network applications. Marconi’s switching proposition is based on transparent international standards, unlike many competing propriety offerings from its rivals. Crucially, it integrates DWDM functionality into DXC’s, adding advanced, dynamic distributed control planes to support restoration and auto routing.
The MSH2K
The MSH2K is the foundation of Marconi’s new switching portfolio. It has a capacity of 320Gbps placing it perfectly in the metro core. Despite having the functionality of a DXC, the MSH2K costs approximately as much as an ADM. It features embedded DWDM with simultaneous support of SDH protection and network restoration and supports the seamless transition from ring to mesh network architectures. It supports STM-1 to STM-64 interfaces, including STM-1 electrical, and is capable of an upgrade to the Multi-Layer Switch (MLS).
MSH64C
The MSH64C is based on the same platform as its sister product, the MSH2K, and is a core ADM/XC. The 80Gbps switch has a capacity of 32 x STM-16 interfaces and is used for consolidating and grooming traffic. It is the smallest, fully-featured 10Gbps ADM on the market. The MSH64C has Gigabit Ethernet interfaces for data transport and embedded DWDM interfaces. It is twice the capacity, yet half the size of comparable products.
Multi-layer Switch (MLS)
Carrier class transport networks are typically built using both SDH/SONET and DWDM technologies. These technologies are complimentary with DWDM providing the high-capacity transport while SDH/SONET adds flexibility to the network and provides a comprehensive set of management functions. However, both technologies can create separate layers, resulting in higher costs in network build and operation. Representing the ultimate step in the integration of network technologies, the Marconi MLS development builds on its expertise in both Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) and Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) transmission technologies.
The MLS integrates the different transport and switching layers into a single network element. It combines electrical and optical switching and incorporates the WDM transport layer into one unit with a single control plane. This reduces the cost of floor space and power consumption and the need for surplus equipment, management and interoperability testing.
About Marconi plc
Marconi plc is a global telecommunications equipment and solutions company headquartered in London. The company's core business is the provision of innovative and reliable optical networks, broadband routing and switching and broadband access technologies and services. The company's aim is to help fixed and mobile telecommunications operators worldwide reduce costs and increase revenues.
The company's customer base includes many of the world's largest telecommunications operators. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol MONI.
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to products, partners, customers, future growth and other matters. Please refer to the Form 20-F report and Form 6-K reports filed by Marconi plc with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements.
© Press Release 2002
