R-OADMs: The Key to Upgrading the Newly Merged Networks

Abstract

Early 2005 has seen the telecommunications industry turned on its ear by the announcement of major acquistioins. These acquisitions, regardless of the final composition, will virtually eliminate the independent IXC industry. The merging of the RBOCs metro and short-haul networks with the long-haul networks of the IXCs will be one of the main drivers of telecommunications infrastructure changes for the next few years. The emerging availability of R-OADMs is very good timing because the RBOC-IXC mergers of early 2005 will require a great deal of network consolidation, and R-OADMs will be key. The R-OADM device offers the promise of substantial savings in operations costs, and many operational benefits.