AT&T Completes 100-Gigabit Ethernet Field Trial

DALLAS, March 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T* today announced the successful completion of a live network environment field trial of 100-Gigabit backbone network technology.  The trial advances development of the next generation of backbone network technology that will support growing volumes of wireless and wired Internet and data traffic in the years to come.

During the trial, AT&T field tested the new Cisco CRS-3 Carrier Routing System, conducting a standards-ready, single-flow, 100-Gigabit technology trial in a live network environment. For this test, AT&T used Opnext 100 Gigabit CFP client side modules and Ixia's "K2" 100 Gigabit traffic generator and analyzer.

AT&T's trial also demonstrated a single-carrier 100-Gigabit transmission with real-time coherent processing on a 900-kilometer deployed ultra long-haul transport link between Louisiana and Florida using Opnext optical equipment.

The successful field trial is the latest example of AT&T innovation in advanced IP networking technology. AT&T in 2008 completed the world's largest deployment of current industry-standard 40-Gigabit network technology in its U.S. IP backbone network. And in 2008 and 2009, the company led teams that completed two lab trials of 100 Gigabit technology that set new records for bandwidth transmission. The 100-Gigabit technology is expected to be ready for commercial deployment over the next few years.

"This successful field trial is a key milestone in our ongoing effort to deliver the industry's most advanced and capable IP backbone network," said John Donovan, AT&T's Chief Technology Officer.  "The AT&T IP backbone network today carries nearly 19 petabytes of traffic on an average business day, supporting our wireless, wired and enterprise customers' ever-growing demand for wireless and wired broadband applications. Research and development milestones like our 100-Gigabit trials help to ensure that the AT&T network is always ready to meet our customers' needs."

The recently completed 100 Gigabit field trial marks several notable industry achievements, including:

• Successful single-carrier 100-Gigabit transmission with real-time coherent processing.
• Demonstration of 100-Gigabit Ethernet single-flow router capacity.
• Field demonstration of 100-Gigabit technology with a standards-compliant 100GBASE-LR4 single-mode MSA interface.
• Field demonstration of a 100-Gigabit traffic generator.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. AT&T offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse(SM) and AT&T |DIRECTV(SM) brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T's Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies.

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*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.