BSkyB adds 100G capabilities to its optical transmission network

BSkyB (Sky), a UK-based competitive wireline service provider, has employed Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) for its 100G-capable optical transmission network.

Like other 100G deployments, Sky's move is all about supporting its customers' never-ending appetite for broadband data and video services. Operating on its existing DWDM-enabled optical network, Sky leveraged Alcatel-Lucent's 100G optical coherent technology, including the vendor's 1626 Light Manager and 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS) all without disrupting existing customer traffic.

Mohamed Hammady, Director of Sky Network Services, said by building an "all-fiber core trunk network" has enabled it to deliver higher speed broadband and video services to its customers free of major congestion issues.

Europe continues to be a hot spot for Alcatel-Lucent's 100G drive.

Signing a deal with Sky--one that follows earlier wins with France Telecom-Orange and P&T Luxembourg--gives the vendor another customer it can tout as it competes against similarly aggressive 100G vendors including ADVA Optical (XETRA: ADV.DE), Ciena (Nasdaq: CIEN), Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO), Fujitsu and Infinera (Nasdaq: INFN).

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