Lucent makes fiber, copper, software

Lucent Technologies kicked off its week at Supercomm '97 by announcing that Teleport Communications Group will be the first competitive local exchange carrier to deploy Lucent's Optical Line System, a dense wavelength division multiplexing product.

TCG, which serves information-intensive businesses in 57 markets, is expected to initially deploy two wavelengths on the optical line system to boost its fiber capacity in the New York/New Jersey area. TCG plans to deploy eight wavelengths by year's end.

While the focal point of Lucent's announcements was fiber developments, including the all-optical cross-connect it demonstrated in New Orleans, the company also announced new copper transmission and software developments.

Westell Technologies will develop DSL cards that will fill existing slots in Lucent's SLC 2000 access system and SLC Series 5 carrier system digital loop carrier products. Westell recently entered a similar deal with DSC Communications.

Addressing the fact that Lucent had previously announced it will incorporate Paradyne's HotWire 5100 DSL products into its networks, Gerry Butters, president of North America for Lucent's Network Systems, said, "We're covering the waterfront [with regard to DSL solutions]. We're leaving no bets uncovered."