Representatives of both organisations said this is the first project--an advanced optical multi-service network using an intelligent control plane--of its kind in Taiwan, and is part of is part of Chunghwa Telecom's next-generation network (NGN) five-year initiative.
Alcatel-Lucent Taiwan president Larry Chai said that once completed, in the first half of 2009, it would enable Chunghwa Telecom to achieve significant savings in operational expenditures and maximise network protection, operation and maintenance.
"The solution features innovative automatic traffic provisioning capabilities that help to enhance the performance, reliability, flexibility and scalability of Chunghwa's core transport network, further optimising resource utilisation and improving network efficiency," said Chai.
Leveraging advanced technologies
Chai said that Alcatel-Lucent's solution leveraged advanced technologies, such as Automatically Switched Optical Network (ASON)/Generalised Multi-protocol Label Switching (GMPLS), and Layer 2 to allow Chunghwa Telecom to support new versatile multimedia services and technologies such as IPTV, fibre-based access (FTTx), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and Ethernet-based services.
He said that generalised MPLS (GMPLS) extends MPLS to provide the control plane (signalling and routing) for devices that switch in different domains, including wavelength, and fibre. "This common control plane simplifies network operation and management by automating end-to-end provisioning of connections, managing network resources, and providing the level of QoS (Quality of Service) that is expected in new, sophisticated applications."
To meet surge in IP-based services
"To meet the surge in IP-based video and multimedia high bandwidth services, Chunghwa Telecom is now transforming its optical core network, where huge traffic increases have to be supported along with high availability," said Alcatel-Lucent's Chai. "Exemplifying a 30 year-long collaboration with Chunghwa Telecom, this win further asserts the innovative value of our solutions."