WorldCom's DWDM capabilities/OC12 SONET vs DWDM

Thu Feb 6 23:18:42 UTC 2003

--- Max's Lists <lists at smetannikov.net> wrote:
it has come to my
> attention that WorldCom
> doesn't seem to have a DWDM network to speak of, and
> reportedly has spotty
> DWDM coverage only in metro areas, a fact well
> hidden from company's
> marketing literature that seems to avoid talking
> about speeds above oc-3.

Your impression is pretty much correct.  WorldCom
bought/obtained a large quantity of fiber before DWDM
capability was widely available, and has not spent
very much money on CapEX in the past couple of years. 
Their current focus seems to be trying to maximize the
usage of their existing infrastructure.

> 
> Two questions -- can anyone verify/offer more
> insights/point to better
> resources on WorldCom's DWDM startegy?
> 
> And -- as the rumor mill seems to suggest -- is it
> indeed true that despite
> obvious network economics SONET-based OC-12 and
> OC-48 circuits are indeed
> enjoying lower street prices than DWDM oc-12/48
> circuits? Any thoughts as to
> why this info is indeed correct?

This is also true, because a large number of providers
are in a similar place to WorldCom - i.e.
overprovisioned SONET gear, and don't want to upgrade
to a DWDM-based system until their SONET cicuits
absolutely need it.  It shouldn't be all that
surprising - where you'll really see a lot of DWDM is
those providers who had loaded up on dark fiber, and
are now starting to light them.

-David Barak
fully RFC 1925 compliant

__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
http://mailplus.yahoo.com