BOSTON, MA — (Marketwire) — 07/14/11 — A new published by market research firm examines the current shift taking place in the optical network space as service providers seek to transform their network architectures to handle exponentially growing network traffic.
The 10-page white paper, , which can be downloaded at , outlines what Infonetics analyst Andrew Schmitt calls “the optical reboot” — the network transformation efforts underway that include increasing bit rates from 10 Gigabit to 40 Gigabit and 100 Gigabit, coherent optics for better spectral efficiency, widespread use of OTN (optical transport network) switching to improve network efficiency and resiliency, ROADMs (reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers) to increase optical flexibility, and eventually Ethernet/MPLS as a circuit replacement for traditional SONET/SDH.
Infonetics- paper asserts that 100G technology will grow at a faster rate than 40G did in its first years of introduction, starting in earnest in early 2013. This could be accelerated if China, which claims 50% of 40G ports shipped today, moves to 100G faster than expected.
“It is clear that 40 Gigabit technology will be squeezed by cost-competitive 100 Gigabit solutions from above, and by low-cost tunable XFP solutions from below. Carriers place a greater premium on spectral efficiency and operational costs, and they-re showing a willingness to adopt higher speed technologies at prices above historical thresholds. When 100G coherent component technology prices come down to not more than twice that of 40G technology, we-ll see a rapid switchover to 100G transmission when it becomes widely available in 2013,” expects , directing analyst for optical at .
Schmitt adds, “Once this transition is underway, vendors will differentiate themselves not just by the availability of 100G WDM technology, but by the ability to tame these fat pipes with effective switching technology, be it OTN switching or full-blown IP/MPLS switching.”
Optical Networks: A Refresh Is Due
The 2000s Were a Time of Incremental Change…
…Leading to the Optical Reboot with ROADMs, OTN, Ethernet, and Coherent Optics
The Shift to WDM Is Well Under Way
40G/100G Technology Brings New Economics to Carrier Transport
40G/100G Survey Shows a Reset of Prior 10G Pricing Expectations
100G Will Reach 2x The Cost of 40G
Big Shift Is Coming: Almost Half of WDM Linecard Revenue Will Be 100G by 2014
Conclusions: If Price of 100G Is Twice 40G, the 100G Era Will Begin in Earnest in 2013
Download the at in the White Papers section, or directly at .
, VP (West NA, APAC, CALA): , +1-408-583-3335
, Sr. Account Dir. (East NA, Texas, Midwest): , +1-408-583-3395
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is an international market and firm serving the communications industry since 1990. A leader in defining and tracking emerging and established technologies in all world regions, Infonetics helps clients plan, strategize, and compete more effectively.
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Andrew Schmitt
Directing Analyst, Optical
Infonetics Research
+1-408-583-3393
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