Creating a WDM network layer-the operators perspective

The advances in WDM technology offers the potential for the deployment of cost-effective highly reliable high-capacity network solutions. The sustained growth of increasingly bandwidth-hungry services requires an unprecedented rate of network expansion, particularly for the new operator entrant. This places increasing demands on the network design and planning process. The development of TDM transport systems has reached a plateau. Managed STM-64 transmission has been “two years away” for at least three years now. Operators can no longer wait for such technology to mature and are increasingly pursuing WDM solutions to address capacity issues. Cost/benefit analysis however, reveals deployment of currently available small scale (four wavelength) stand-alone systems only makes sense in long-distance carrier networks of the kind found in North America. For European intra-operator networks efficiencies only begin to be realised with sixteen wavelength systems. As a longer term strategy the creation of a high-capacity managed WDM network layer using optical add-drop multiplexers or wavelength routers is gaining acceptance in the formulation of future network architectures. In addition to offering operational efficiencies in the intra-operator network the WDM network layer holds the potential for enabling a pan-national inter-operator disaster recovery scheme. The biggest challenge in implementing an all optical network will be in the delivery of an optical layer network management platform and the successful integration with existing SDH network management systems