PLDT taps Nortel for DFON expansion

Telecommunications industry leader Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and Nortel Networks have signed a multimillion-dollar contract for the expansion of PLDT’s next generation Domestic Fiber Optical Network (DFON), the only 10-gigabit DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) network deployed in the country.

"This network expansion represents a strategic move by PLDT to address customer-driven bandwidth requirements for additional services such as ADSL/ATM connectivity and wholesale bandwidth, and to create a scalable platform to meet the bandwidth demand generated by the outstanding success of our Smart GSM network," PLDT senior vice president George Lim said.

Lim said this is another step in their vision to create a fully digitized, internationally connected national network capable of providing a broad range of fast, reliable and competitive broadband, data and IP services.

This is the third major contract PLDT has awarded to Nortel Networks since the initial deployment, in December 2000, of Nortel Networks OPTera Long Haul 1600 Optical Line System for DFON, according to Nortel Networks Phils. managing director Antonio Pio de Roda.

"PLDT’s continuing selection of Nortel Networks strongly endorses the quality and reliability of our solutions and services. This infrastructure rollout will support the Philippine government’s campaign to promote an ICT economy, as OPTera Connect DX technology will increase network capacity and reliability for an efficient way of doing business," De Roda added.

Nortel Networks will enhance the capabilities of DFON’s existing OPTera Long Haul 1600, as well as deploy an OPTera Connect DX optical switch to support an increase in network capacity, service provisioning and reliability.

OPTera Long Haul 1600 is a DWDM Transport Platform that enables service providers to optimize their networks through data interfaces and flexible OADM capabilities.

The multi-service capabilities and Terabit scalability offered through OPTera Long Haul 1600 also allow service providers to significantly reduce and effectively manage lifecycle costs, providing an easy-to-manage platform that is future-proof and can address today’s and future needs.

Nortel Networks OPTera Connect DX optical switch enables service providers and carriers to increase network capacity, provide flexible services, improve connection and network management capabilities, and enhance network reliability.

OPTera Connect DX is the only regional cross connect that integrates the backbone with the metro network and is the most widely deployed 10Gbps optical switch in the world, with over 5,000 installations globally.