Korea Telecom extends Ethernet to SMEs via ADTRAN

ADTRAN instantly upped its presence in the global Ethernet market by winning a deal to supply Korea Telecom with network gear that will allow the incumbent carrier to extend both Ethernet over Copper (EoC) and fiber-based Ethernet to area businesses.

For this deployment, Korea Telecom will leverage ADTRAN's Total Access 5000 Multiservice Access and Aggregation Platform and NetVanta 800 network termination units for its X4BIZ PLUS SME Ethernet service. Although KT originally needed a product to help it deliver bonded Ethernet over copper (EoCu and EoTDM), the carrier wanted to have a platform that could support fiber-based GigE services.   

"They had a [request for proposal] with an initial demand looking primarily for a copper solution," said Jason Morgan, director of product management for ADTRAN's carrier division in a ConnectedPlanet article. "One thing they get with the TA 5000 is the ability to grow to a fiber solution as well."

While most service providers do favor fiber to deliver Ethernet business services, leveraging existing copper enables service providers to extend Ethernet to address near-term growth opportunities where fiber may not be available.

The deal with KT for Ethernet is significant for ADTRAN on two levels. It not only illustrates the company's ongoing investment in Ethernet, but it could lead to more business at KT and other international carriers. In addition to KT, ADTRAN won a similar Ethernet deal with Belgacom.

For more:
- see the release here
- Connected Planet also has this article

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