Verizon to Deploy Industry-Leading 100G Ethernet on Selected Route of Its European Long-Haul Backbone

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- In another technology milestone, Verizon will establish before the end of the year the first standards-based, multivendor 100 gigabit (100G) Ethernet link for the IP backbone on a portion of the company's European long-haul network.

This breakthrough next-generation technology means Verizon will take the next step in advancing 100G technology by enabling 100G Ethernet connections between routers on its IP network.

Verizon will deploy the 100G router-to-router technology on its European backbone network from Paris to Frankfurt. Last year, Verizon deployed a 100G ultra-long-haul optical transmission system on this 893-kilometer (555-mile) network route. It was the first commercial deployment of such a system.

Deploying the 100G Ethernet technology – which will use Juniper Networks routers and Ciena's commercially available 100G Ethernet coherent optical transport solution – enables IP backbone routers to be more efficiently transported on the underlying 100G wavelengths. This provides increased capacity and performance for customers.

"This latest 100G Ethernet advancement is further confirmation of Verizon's commitment to the next-generation technology, which is vital to meet the continued demand for IP-based services and applications from both wired and wireless broadband devices," said Ihab Tarazi, vice president of global network planning for Verizon.

Stefan Dyckerhoff, executive vice president and general manager, Infrastructure Products Group at Juniper Networks, said: "Juniper's vision for the new network is built around flexible and scalable networks, including 100G services that are open, dynamic and secure. New and emerging applications and network architectures are increasingly highlighting the need today for 100G capabilities. By working together, we continue to lead the industry in delivering high-speed networks to the organizations and businesses that depend on us."

By installing new equipment for the Ethernet upgrade but retaining use of the current fiber system, Verizon will be able to increase bandwidth without having to change the existing fiber infrastructure.  

"The need for ultra-high capacity and increased performance in networks continues to accelerate as end-user demand for cloud services, video and 4G and LTE ramp," said Philippe Morin, senior vice president of Ciena's global products group. "This industry-leading 100G Ethernet deployment with Verizon is a testament to our unique expertise and field-proven experience in providing customers reliable and simple network upgrades to 40G and 100G."

For the past several years Verizon has been a dominant force in 100G technology research, beginning in November 2007 when the company successfully completed the industry's first field trial of 100G optical traffic on a live system. Several 100G trials followed, each pushing the technology further along and culminating in last year's deployment of a 100G optical system on Verizon's European network from Paris to Frankfurt.

"The continuing deployment of 100G technology is critical to support the traffic growth in the Verizon IP network driven by the emerging demand for wireless and video applications," said Tarazi.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 93 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 195,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com/news.

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SOURCE Verizon