COLT upgrades next generation network across Europe

Published by Make Do on June 22, 2009

COLT, a leading European provider of business communications, has completed the first phase of the upgrade of its long distance network across Europe. The network carries COLT’s voice and data services between its metropolitan area networks in 34 major European cities and enables COLT’s market-leading Ethernet services for its customers.

The enhanced network is already live and in operation in eight* of COLT’s countries and rollout will be completed in the third quarter. This is one of a number of investments, along with the completion of its next generation Carrier Ethernet network, based on a Multi Service Platform that COLT is making in its Next Generation Solution strategy in 2009.

“This is another major milestone in our Next Generation Solutions strategy. COLT has one of the most modern and advanced networks of any carrier and a clear vision of how to harness next generation photonic technologies to help our customers improve the way they deliver their applications across Europe”, said Dr Alireza Mahmoodshahi, Chief Technology Officer, COLT

Customers will benefit from service improvements to 1Gbps and 10Gbps Ethernet and 2.5Gbps and 10Gbps Wavelength services, including reduced latency and improved resilience. The enhanced solution also provides customers with a range of cost effective, high speed, secure connections for their pan-European network connectivity and will also improve service delivery as provisioning is simplified.

“This new network will significantly improve the way we deliver our long distance data services across Europe. In particular it will allow COLT to meet the strong customer demand for national and international high speed Ethernet” said Francois Eloy, Managing Director, Wholesale Division, COLT.

Using leading edge technology from Infinera, based on its unique photonic integrated circuits, the network delivers high capacity links capable of up to 1.6 Terabits per second, simplified operations, faster “point and click” provisioning and is energy efficient, saving both space and power.

“Infinera is proud to have been chosen for this exciting project”, said Jagdeep Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Infinera. “Working together with COLT the network build and rollout has been achieved in just three months; one of the fastest implementations that we have seen anywhere in the world for a network of this scale. We are confident that the speed and flexibility of Infinera’s Digital Optical Networking system will give COLT a significant competitive advantage when it comes to fulfilling a wide range of customer needs quickly and accurately.”

Note to editors:

*Network is already live and in operation in eight countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK.

About COLT

COLT is a leading European provider of business communications. COLT specialises in providing data, voice and managed services to major businesses, SMEs and wholesale customers. COLT operates a 13-country, 25,000km network that includes metropolitan area networks in 34 major European cities with direct fibre connections into 16,000 buildings and 18 COLT data centres.

COLT Telecom Group S.A. is listed on the London Stock Exchange (COLT). Information about COLT and its services can be found at www.colt.net.

About Infinera

Infinera provides Digital Optical Networking systems to telecommunications carriers worldwide. Infinera’s systems are unique in their use of a breakthrough semiconductor technology: the photonic integrated circuit (PIC). Infinera’s systems and PIC technology are designed to provide customers with simpler and more flexible engineering and operations, faster time-to-service, and the ability to rapidly deliver differentiated services without reengineering their optical infrastructure. For more information, please visit https://www.infinera.com/.

Enquiries:

Press/Industry analysts

Kirstie Phimister
COLT
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7390 3255
Email: [email protected]

Investment analysts/investors contact

Gill Maclean
COLT
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7863 5314

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