Infinera nets Global Crossing network contract
Global Crossing, an operator of IP networks serving over 600 cities in 60 countries, has selected optical chip and systems manufacturer Infinera to upgrade its optical network.
Deployment of the network has already started in the southeastern US, with the first 1500 km installed and turned up in the first three weeks. And upgrades with Infinera's equipment to other regions of the Global Crossing's US network are planned for later this year.
The enhanced networks use the Infinera DTN, an optical system based on large-scale photonic integrated circuits that Infinera makes at its InP fab in California. These circuits are claimed to improve speed and flexibility. The system features 100Gbit/s of dense-wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) capacity on every line-card.
"Infinera's solution enables us to deliver new services quickly and economically, as well as responding to the present and developing needs of our customers," said Jim Watts, Global Crossing's vice president of global transport engineering.
Infinera's contract win with Global Crossing follows recent installations for Level 3, XO Communications and Flag Telecom (see related stories).
The growth in business is driving recruitment at Infinera. At GlobalComm2006 the Californian company announced that it is hiring 120 staff in engineering, operations, sales, systems engineering, marketing, and support roles.
