LightPath readies for WDM entry

Armed with a government grant, Albuquerque-based LightPath Technologies is gearing up to take its wavelength division multiplexing method to the carrier market.

The company received $750,000 last week in the second round of funding from a Center for Optoelectronics Science and Technology/Small Business Technology Transfer Innovation research grant from the Department of Defense. LightPath's Gradiant glass fiber optic technology is being developed with Radient Research and the Microelectronics Research Center at the University of Texas.

LightPath is working to commercialize the technology for carrier applications through its LightChip subsidiary. The first product based on the technology will be a single-mode fiber collimator, a component that minimizes insertion loss and back reflection in fiber systems. The company plans to eventually apply its technology to optical cross-connects, said Donald Lawson, president and CEO of LightPath.

"LightChip's goal is to incorporate our material into WDM systems targeted at the metropolitan and short-haul arenas," Lawson said.

One analyst noted that those market niches are ideal for a new entrant to WDM to pursue.

"We've identified a broad opportunity for new companies to get into that market, whereas the long-haul market is well-served by the existing vendor set," said Scott Clavenna, senior analyst at Pioneer Consulting. "The access market demands different technologies and lower-cost solutions."

Competitive local exchange carrier Hyperion Communications has announced multimillion-dollar dark fiber deals with Qwest Communications and Williams. Previously, Hyperion made a similar deal with Metromedia Fiber Network. Hyperion operates 22 networks in 11 states.

ITC DeltaCom and GTE have signed an interconnection agreement for the state of Alabama and are negotiating agreements in Florida, Kentucky and North Carolina. ITC DeltaCom is a facilities-based carrier that has received CLEC certification throughout BellSouth's territory.

Northern Telecom will supply Sonet and dense wavelength division multiplexing equipment for the fiber network that BTI Telecom Corp. is building between New York and Miami and between Atlanta and Nashville. BTI has local switches in Raleigh, Greensboro and Charlotte, N.C., and soon will add Atlanta, Orlando and other markets.