Tellabs Introduces Next-Generation Focus 6200 DWDM Platform - Product Announcement

Cambridge Telcom Report, May 29, 2000

Tellabs (Nasdaq: TLAB) Tuesday announced a new dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) platform, the FOCUS 6200, as part of its 6000 series of global optical networking products. The new system enables operators to reduce operational costs and simplify network planning. The FOCUS 6200 platform, which initially has 32 channels and can scale to 64 and 128 channels, is the next generation of Tellabs' FOCUS WDM system, which has been deployed by major service providers worldwide since 1997.

The FOCUS 6200 system provides multi-wavelength optical add/drop, integrated SDH interfaces and open transponder interfaces that support multiple bit rates and IP applications for distances in excess of 600 kilometers. With features supporting ring, mesh and point-to-point architectures, the FOCUS 6200 platform offers service providers an exceptional degree of flexibility to meet provisioning needs, particularly in core long-haul applications.

The FOCUS 6200 system features "SmartStart," a fully automatic installation procedure that enables service providers to quickly provision and invest in their networks as the demand for capacity and services grows. The system is managed by the FOCUS NM2100 platform, a carrier-class optical and SDH network and element management system that manages all FOCUS products.

The FOCUS 6200 also provides operators with new revenue opportunities, as the network can be planned directly according to capacity needs, with an in-service upgrade path to 10 Gigabits per second per channel.

"In the last few years, there has been a huge increase in demand for additional bandwidth caused by the growth of Internet, remote data access and business to business data traffic," said Frank Fabricius, principal analyst of Gartner's Dataquest. "This change in the demand side for bandwidth has been matched by changes in the products being sold. DWDM has become the technology of choice for core long-haul network deployments."

FOCUS SDH and DWDM products provide a full range of vertically integrated solutions for both access and transport network applications. The platforms support managed access speeds for telephony and data, ranging from 64 kilobits per second to 155 megabits per second (STM-1), and transmission speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, per channel in the backbone.

"We are excited to offer this solution to our existing and new customers," said Brian J. Jackman, president of Global Systems and Technology at Tellabs. "Our new DWDM platform, the FOCUS 6200, enables service providers to quickly meet their customers' demands for bandwidth while effectively managing their infrastructure investments."

Tellabs designs, manufactures, markets and services data, voice and video transport, switching/routing and network access systems. The company's products are used worldwide by the providers of communications services. Tellabs stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (TLAB).