Basslink Telecoms today announced it has selected Ericsson Australia to provide the fibre optic transmission solution for the Basslink Interconnector cable to supply telecommunications services between Tasmania and the Australian mainland.
Under the agreement, Ericsson will supply and install DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) equipment to provide multi-channel 10Gbps terrestrial and submarine links between Tasmania and Victoria for end-to-end broadband capacity.
“Ericsson is pleased to partner with Basslink Telecoms to grow the internet capacity linking the world to Tasmania,” said Tony Malligeorgos, Vice President, Marketing and Business Development, Ericsson Australia and NZ.
"The solution will use Ericsson's Marconi MHL 3000 MultiHaul DWDM technology, tailored to meet the unique characteristics of this installation. It will employ advanced optical technology* that makes it possible to cover the 303km submarine portion under Bass Strait without mid-span amplification or repeaters,” said Mr Malligeorgos.
Michael Coates, GM Basslink Telecoms, said: "Ericsson is a world leader in optical transmission and has been able to deliver a high-performance solution that is scalable and cost-effective. Tasmanians will be able to experience nationally competitive broadband when the network goes live early in 2009."
“We look forward to working with Ericsson to install and commission the equipment required to light our fibres,” he said. “It is a critical element of our plan to commercialise the fibre optic component of Basslink. As part of our implementation plan, the equipment will be in-country before the end of the year, with testing scheduled to commence in early 2009.”
“Basslink Telecoms will initially light up 40 Gbps across Bass Strait, with the ability to add more capacity in future as demand grows,” said Dr. Paul Brooks, Technical Project Director, Basslink Telecoms.
The multi-million dollar MHL 3000 DWDM solution will be combined with the Ericsson OMS3255 Optical MultiService Core switching platform, enabling Basslink to meet increasing bandwidth and transmission demand by delivering efficient, high-speed data, storage, video, and voice services.
Basslink Telecoms’ customers will be able to choose from an array of standard interfaces and flexible connectivity solutions to meet their needs. For robustness, a fully redundant equipment configuration will be installed.
The MHL 3000 DWDM is proven technology that has been widely deployed throughout Australia with several hundred nodes spanning thousands of kilometres. Global customers for the platform include Telefonica, Vodafone, T-Com (Germany) and Taiwan Telecom. Ericsson is a leader in data transmission networks and its optical networking portfolio includes a full range of technologies, from the access to the core.
Basslink will be making further announcements to keep the market updated on our progress and official launch date.
*Raman amplification is used to launch optical energy into the receiving/transmitting fibre, boosting the level of the signal across the Bass Strait section of cable
For further media enquiries, please contact:
Basslink: Matthew Mahon (03) 9639 2300 or 0413 101 860
Ericsson: John Papanidis, External Relations Manager, Ericsson Australia, 0401 237 854
About Basslink
Basslink is an historic Australian project that enables the trade of electricity between Tasmania and the mainland, providing secure, renewable energy and telecommunications services. The Basslink interconnector runs from Loy Yang in Gippsland, Victoria, across Bass Strait to Bell Bay in northern Tasmania. The 360km Basslink interconnector incorporates the longest submarine power cable in the world.
Basslink has the capacity to export up to a maximum of 594 MW of power from Tasmania to Victoria, and import of 478 MW to Tasmania, with a continuous rating of 478 MW in each direction. Singapore-based CitySpring Infrastructure Trust is the owner and operator of Basslink.
The interconnector is a $780 million project and one of the largest infrastructure projects of its type ever undertaken in Australia. Basslink continues to provide Tasmania with enhanced security of electricity supply and is working to drought-proof the state.
For more information, visit www.basslink.com.au
About Ericsson
Ericsson is the world's leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators. The market leader in 2G and 3G mobile technologies, Ericsson supplies communications services and manages networks that serve more than 120 million subscribers. The company’s portfolio comprises mobile and fixed network infrastructure, and broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and developers. The Sony Ericsson joint venture provides consumers with feature-rich personal mobile devices.
Ericsson is advancing its vision of ‘communication for all’ through innovation, technology, and sustainable business solutions. Working in 175 countries, more than 70,000 employees generated revenue of USD 27.9 billion (SEK 189 billion) in 2007. Founded in 1876 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on the Stockholm, London and NASDAQ stock exchanges.
For more information, visit www.ericsson.com or www.ericsson.mobi
