360networks to Deploy Alcatel-Lucent's 100G-Capable Converged Optics and IP Solution to Support Customers' Exploding Demand for Broadband Capacity

PARIS, Nov. 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- 360networks is taking an innovative approach to dealing with the explosion of HD video, interactive gaming and business-critical applications that are driving Internet and content service providers to handle more traffic at higher speeds. The company has selected Alcatel-Lucent's Converged Backbone Transformation (CBT) solution capable of speeds up to 100G, a distinctive combination of IP and optical technologies, to offer greater bandwidth capacity and IP-based Ethernet services.

With some 18,000 miles of network west of the Mississippi, 360networks is one of the largest facilities-based telecommunications wholesalers in the United States, 360networks helps the nation's voice, data, Internet and content providers pursue next-generation strategies, migrate from legacy networks, grow into new markets and services and increase network diversity.  This deployment supports 360networks' delivery of regional Layer 2 Ethernet over a fully redundant dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network with very low latency and no congestion.

The CBT solution, part of the Alcatel-Lucent High Leverage Network™ (HLN) architecture, enables 360networks to deploy a 100 Gigabit network to intelligently manage traffic and support new bandwidth-hungry applications, such as live-streaming high-definition video.  CBT is a comprehensive and integrated IP/Optical solution spanning the data plane, the control plane and the management plane, that slashes transport costs and dramatically reduces operational complexity in core networks.  

"The popularity of such services as high-definition video and interactive gaming are prompting consumers to expect much greater quality and speed from their service providers while enterprise customers are demanding greater reliability for applications such as tele-presence and tele-health," said Brady Adams, chief technology officer for 360networks.  "Alcatel-Lucent's CBT solution and its 100G proposition help us manage traffic growth and enable us to develop the technologies and platforms that meet our customers' growing demands."

360networks is deploying:

• the Alcatel-Lucent 1830 Photonic Service Switch, featuring 100G-capable next-generation coherent technology;
• the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Router with service-enabled 100G-capable Ethernet interfaces at the IP edge.  

Together this combination enables flexible overall network scaling from today's 10G and 40G to 100G while improving total cost of ownership, reducing power consumption and greatly simplifying operations.

"By integrating high-capacity optical solutions with IP edge services we're helping service providers like 360networks balance bandwidth demand and network costs in order to take the next critical steps toward a converged IP-based network," said Robert Vrij, president of Alcatel-Lucent's Americas region.  "Our solution reflects Alcatel-Lucent's experience as a world-leading optical and routing company by providing greater intelligence in the way these two layers manage the breadth and scale of today's data intensive networks."

For more information about Alcatel-Lucent's Converged Backbone Transport solution go to http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/convergedbackbone/.

About 360networks

360networks is a full service wholesale provider of Private Line Transport, VoIP, IP, and Local Access (T1/DS3) services, on its wholly-owned fiber optic backbone.  Its facilities-based network provides deep coverage, spanning 18,000 miles to tier 1 to 4 U.S. markets (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming).  Financially stable and a CLEC in 36 states, 360networks enables the nation's voice, data and web-based application and service providers to quickly pursue next generation strategies, migrate from legacy networks, grow into new markets and services, and increase network diversity. www.360networks.com

About Alcatel-Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris andNYSE: ALU) is the trusted transformation partner of service providers, enterprises, strategic industries such as defense, energy, healthcare, transportation,  and governments worldwide, providing solutions to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. A leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent leverages the unrivalled technical and scientific expertise of Bell Labs, one of the largest innovation powerhouses in the communications industry. With operations in more than 130 countries and the most experienced global services organization in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with a global reach. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 15.2 billion in 2009 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com, read the latest posts on the Alcatel-Lucent's blog http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.

SOURCE Alcatel-Lucent