Cable and Wireless Implements First Optical Network in Central America Using Lightscape Networks' XDM Optical Platform - Brief Article

Fiber Optics Business, July 31, 2001

Lightscape Networks, a member of the ECI Telecom group, announced that Cable & Wireless in Panama has successfully transmitted live global traffic using the XDM next-generation optical platform from Lightscape Networks.

This is Cable & Wireless' second implementation of the XDM platform and follows hot on the heels of the first involving a European customer. The XDM optical platform features a breakthrough single architecture approach, which enables Cable & Wireless to accommodate future growth through modular expansion of the same platform as the need arises.

Cable & Wireless Panama, the leading telecommunications company in Panama, chose Lightscape Networks' XDM hybrid optical networking platform to consolidate voice and data traffic across local, national, and international networks.

A primary objective for the XDM implementation was the integration of international traffic arriving from four different submarine cables. The XDM integrates SDHISONET, digital cross connect (DCS), DWDM, Gigabit Ethernet, optical switching, and instant end-to-end provisioning within one switch.

This advanced platform, which features multiple interfaces and services support, enables Cable & Wireless to operate a flexible and future-proof transmission solution, that connects Panama with anywhere in the world, including neighboring countries where large volumes of traffic are exchanged, such as Honduras, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, and Colombia, as well as North America.

In addition to consolidating four STM-16 rings into one XDM platform, Cable & Wireless Panama's network also uses Lightscape Networks' LumiNet family of DWDM optical solutions. LumiNet uses 16 channels of protected DWDM metropolitan rings, allowing for transparent transmission of local and national SDH traffic as well as international STM-16 (2.5 Gbps) traffic generated in submarine cables. Additionally, the DWDM ring supports IP, ATM, and video traffic.

Lightscape Networks' products are currently sold globally to some of the world's major carriers and emerging service providers such as Deutsche Telekom, NTL, D2 Vodafone, Telemach, Hansol, Banverket, and Globe Telecom. Lightscape Networks is also undergoing trials in the US and Canada. Sales of Lightscape Networks' complete family of products in 2000 totaled $260 million.