Lucent Claims Optical Networking System Breakthrough

MURRAY HILL, N.J., July 22 -- Lucent Technologies has unveiled an optical networking system that uses beams of light to transmit information directly through the air. Called WaveStar OpticAir, the system will use lasers, amplifiers and receivers that can be placed on rooftops or in office windows to transmit voice, data or video traffic from point to point through the air.
Bell Labs designed the system, which will employ dense wave division multiplexing technology to increase network capacity in metropolitan areas and campus environments where cost, geography or other constraints may make fiber connections impractical. Global Crossing will be first to test the system, with field trials scheduled to begin by December.