freenet Deploys Infinera DTN for Nationwide Optical Network.

HAMBURG, Germany and SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- German IP-based Service Provider Upgrades its Nationwide Backbone with Digital Optical Networking Technology

Infinera, a provider of Digital Optical Networking systems based on breakthrough Photonic Integrated Circuit technology, today announced that freenet is operating a nationwide network of Infinera DTNs. This network serves as the backbone of freenet's IP service offerings and is carrying live traffic today.

freenet selected Infinera because Infinera DTNs are simpler to operate, deliver service faster, and offer dramatically more network flexibility than conventional optical networking systems. These benefits allow freenet to maximize both service quality and network profitability by ensuring that its IP network can provide bandwidth wherever and whenever required without the costly pre-planning or operator intervention required by conventional optical networking systems.

"freenet is always looking for technology which can give us a competitive edge, and this is why we selected Infinera," said Bodo Rebetge, Head of Technology and Strategy for freenet. "As we continue to grow, the flexibility and responsiveness of our optical backbone will help us add customers and high-bandwidth services more easily and quickly than the competition can."

The Infinera DTN is earning a reputation as the most operationally elegant optical telecom system in the market. "This was the best, smoothest system turn-up and deployment I've seen," said Andreas Jurgensen, Head of Networks for freenet. "Infinera systems really are easier and faster to deploy than other vendors, taking only 3 days to turn-up the first 700km route. The Digital Optical Networking architecture makes the Infinera DTN very 'plug and play'. We are very satisfied with Infinera's solution."

The operational advantages of the Infinera DTN result from its digital optical architecture. Unlike conventional optical systems, which use analog optical devices for key networking functions, the Infinera DTN uses digital technology. Infinera's "Digital Optical Networking" simplifies engineering and operations, speeds service delivery, and makes network evolution much more flexible. Digital Optical Networking is made possible by Infinera's Photonic Integrated Circuit technology, which converts all traffic from optical to electronic signals, allowing the DTN to add and drop, multiplex, groom, and protect circuits digitally rather than optically.

"We're very pleased to have Infinera DTNs and their Photonic Integrated Circuits carrying traffic for the over 6 million internet customers of freenet," said Jagdeep Singh, CEO of Infinera. "freenet's network is proof positive that the Photonic Integrated Circuit is not just a compelling technical idea. In fact these chips are operating today in the network, delivering information to millions of people, and enabling real benefits for service providers."

The Infinera DTN supports 400 Gb/s, (forty 10 Gb/s channels) in a half rack and 800Gb/s (eighty 10Gb/s channels) in a full rack. 100 Gb/s line cards support a variety of hot-swappable client interfaces including OC-192/STM-64, OC-48/STM-16, 10 Gigabit Ethernet LAN PHY and WAN PHY, and Gigabit Ethernet. The DTN also supports automated network discovery, configuration, and provisioning via GMPLS.

About Infinera

Infinera provides Digital Optical Networking systems to telecommunications carriers worldwide. Infinera's systems are unique in their use of a breakthrough semiconductor technology: the Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC). Infinera's systems and PIC technology give optical networks simpler engineering and operations, faster time-to-service, and more flexible networking. For more information, please visit www.infinera.com.