Pacific LightNet Communications completes phase one upgrade of Hawaii's largest inter-island optical network

Fiber Optics Weekly Update, July 23, 2004

Pacific LightNet Communications (PLNC) announced the successful Phase One completion of its planned two-stage optical networking upgrade of Hawaii's largest inter-island fiber optic network. PLNC, the only carrier with fiber connections to all six Hawaiian Islands, deployed Movaz Network's RAY Product Suite of optical networking equipment to provide end-to-end GigE and DWDM capacity to Oahu, Maui, "the Big Island" of Hawaii, Molokai, Lanai, and Kauai.

According to Pat Bustamante, president and COO of PLNC, the network upgrade means that Hawaii-based businesses and residential users will receive the fastest, most reliable telecommunications and Internet services in Hawaii from a locally-owned company. Three-year-old PLNC owns Hawaii's largest inter-island fiber optic network, with more than 10,000 submarine and terrestrial fiber miles connecting the six major Hawaiian Islands.

"We upgraded from a SONET-based network that linked the islands to DWDM to meet increased traffic demands and offer new GigE services. This upgrade is another step forward in PLNC's strategic plan to grow its business and take advantage of our statewide fiber optic network," said Bustamante. "We have the flexibility to cost-effectively develop and offer new services at competitive prices without the need of off-island facilities. This is a real market advantage for PLNC as our presence continues to grow--along with our customer base--on all the islands."

Using Movaz Networks' RAYexpress (TM) optical add/drop multiplexer and RAYextender(TM) optical amplifier platform, PLNC can operate from OC-3 to OC-192 across its inter-island network. Phase One of the upgrade supports four wavelengths. Phase Two will be completed this year and will support 20 wavelengths.