Ericsson debuts ERION Optical Networking DWDM product line at SuperComm

Business Wire, June 3, 1997

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 3, 1997--Ericsson announced today the launch of its new ERIONx (ERIcsson Optical Networking) product line at the SuperComm show in New Orleans. This line of Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) products is designed to meet the optical networking needs of the U.S. market

The ERION product line can create flexible, high-capacity, cost-effective fiber networks using DWDM technology. Today, carriers' existing transmission systems are near capacity limits with no spare fibers available. By providing technology that allows multiple traffic streams on a single fiber pair, therefore freeing up spare fibers, it can efficiently ease the problems of "fiber exhaustion."

"The growth of the Internet and data communication services has made DWDM one of the most critical communications technologies," said Bo Hedfors, president of Ericsson Inc. "Ericsson is supporting its customers to meet the increased demand for communication services with the ERION line of products."

Ericsson has applied its expertise in optical access systems to transport systems in developing ERION products. Innovative network design techniques used in the ERION line minimize the cost, complexity and fiber usage of optical networks. High-capacity optical networks may be built using today's technology with assured upgradeability. Most importantly, the architecture provides fast traffic protection in the optical domain without the need for optical switches.

"Ericsson's optical networking products allow carriers to control costs by letting them continue to use existing transport equipment, while multiplying the capacity of existing fiber routes with DWDM technology," said Rory Buckley, head of Ericsson's transport and cable networks business unit. "Ericsson's expertise in telecommunications and fiber optics allows us to develop leading-edge products that meet the reliability needs of carriers and service providers."

Based on Ericsson's patented Flexing bus, the ERION solutions are more than DWDM transport technology. They make the best use of existing infrastructure by keeping through traffic in the optical domain, bypassing switching equipment. Transport equipment only needs to be added to the network where increased traffic terminates. The ERION solution protects carriers' investments for the future because it is flexible and upgradeable, as well as fully compatible with existing fiber transmission systems, such as PDH, SDH, ATM and SONET.

The first ERION product, the AXD 8w Wavelength Terminal Multiplexer, is a compact DWDM system capable of multiplexing and demultiplexing up to eight signals from fiber optic terminals and transporting them on a single fiber pair up to 600 kilometers without regeneration. The AXD 8w provides enhanced network reliability through its optical protection and is commercially available now. Additional products within the ERION product line will soon follow; an optical ADM (add-drop multiplexer) with 16 wavelengths will be available by the end of 1997.

Ericsson's 90,000 employees are active in more than 130 countries. Their combined expertise in fixed and mobile networks, mobile phones and infocom systems makes Ericsson the world-leading supplier in telecommunications.

CONTACT: KATHY EGAN

LARS JONSTEG

212/685-4030