From the
‘
Speed Rules
‘
files:
It looks like 100 GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) is coming to market fast (pun intended).
Qwest (NYSE:Q) announced this week that they are now beginning a build-out of 100 GbE that will continue through 2010. From a networking gear perspective, Qwest is using the Alcatel-Lucent’s recently announced 100 GbE services card, that will plug into the ALU 7750 Service Router and 7450 Ethernet Service Switch.
Financial terms of the deal have not been publicly disclosed.
100 GbE is 10 times faster than the current top-end of Ethernet at 10 GbE, which is common in many carrier networks. Less common is OC-768 which delivers 40 Gbps and according to most of the carriers I talk too, is more expensive than aggregating 4 x 10 GbE links.
That’s one of the promises of 100 GbE that I’ve heard from multiple vendors including Alcatel-Lucent, namely that 100 GbE will be more cost effective than OC-768.
With the current state of the economy, costs are obviously a concern, but carriers still need to grow their networks just to keep up with demand.