WorldCom Puts 3.2 Terabit on Existing Network Fiber

RESTON, Va, March 16 -- WorldCom Inc. and Siemens Information and Communication Networks Inc., through its optical networking subsidiary Optisphere Networks Inc., said that they have boosted the world record for transmission capacity of data, video and voice traffic on a single installed WorldCom network fiber to 3.2 Tb/s.
The month-long technology trial was a first for both companies. A record 7 Tb/s over a single fiber was demonstrated in ICN/s Munich laboratories last fall. To reach the new figure the companies deployed 80 wavelengths of 40 Gb per wavelength for a total capacity of 3.2 Tb/s.
"This new technology by Siemens/Optisphere is a giant step forward in delivering increased bandwidth to customers," said Fred Briggs, WorldCom chief technology officer. "It will allow us scale our network, while continuing to drive down the cost of bandwidth, by leveraging the capability of our embedded fiber plant."