KDDI selects Corrigent for RPR transport network

KDDI, one of Japan's largest carriers, has tapped Corrigent's resilient packet ring (RPR) add-drop multiplexer (ADM) to handle the transport of packet and TDM traffic in its triple-play network.

KDDI launched its Hikari-Plus service to customers last year, a service that provides video, video-on-demand, Internet access, IP telephone capabilities to its customer base. In this architecture, KDDI links DSL connections from individual residences to a DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM) sitting in the basement of the unit. This DSLAM then passes traffic to a central officer where it is the transported over on a ring to a hub.

In its initial launch, KDDI relied on its existing TDM-based rings to handle transport. But, with the Hikari-Plus service focusing heavily on data traffic, the operator has decoded to rework its network and implement a packet-based RPR network that can also support TDM traffic.

"At some point, you cannot support a huge amount of data traffic on a traditional TDM network," said Gady Rosenfeld, director of marketing and product strategy at Corrigent. And, as Rosenfeld pointed out, KDDI reached that point with its Hikari-Plus service.

Under the deal announced Thursday (July 15, 2004), KDDI will deploy a packet ring that is developed solely using Corrigent's CM-100 packet ADM system. The CM-100 will be configured with Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, while also providing TDM interfaces for handling traffic from KDDI's wireless network.

"This is the first indication of a tier 1 network operator making the decision to go to a packet-based transport architecture," Rosenfeld said. "We expect other operators to follow."

KDDI is not currently deploying Corrigent's CM-100 systems. However, Rosenfeld said that he expects deployments to start later this year.

- Robert Keenan

CommsDesign.com