Ontera boosts Canadian network capacity with Transmode installation

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Transmode, a leading provider of optical networking solutions, and Canadian-based systems integrator Sak Data, today announced that Ontera, a regional carrier in Canada has deployed Transmode’s WDM solution to dramatically boost its network capacity.

Ontera provides telecommunications and Internet services to customers throughout Northern Ontario and it needed to increase the capacity of its existing network.

“We considered a number of alternate solutions and ultimately selected Transmode because its products represented by far the best value,” said Bernie Vierich, CTO at Ontera. “Our legacy network was run over discrete fiber pairs. In some areas, only one or two fiber pairs were available. The Transmode WDM System enabled us to exponentially increase the capacity of these fibers”.

Ontera’s plan was to build a 1500km optical ring throughout northeastern Ontario and WDM was the only way to expand the company’s capabilities through the fiber-constrained areas. The additional benefit of WDM is that it has enabled Ontera to sell additional wavelength services and private networks.

The design team, from both Ontera and Transmode, ensured that the system was designed to support growth and service differentiation and the eventual migration to 10G services. The business benefit to Ontera has been that the carrier can now “turn on additional services very easily”, according to Vierich.

After a two-month pilot project, Ontera deployed 40 x Transmode’s TS-1100 chassis with 8-channel CWDM muxes in a double track configuration between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, a distance of some 1200km. Transmode’s 5400 Gigabit Ethernet Muxponder and 7700 transponders were also selected to carry Gigabit Ethernet and OC-48 SONET traffic respectively. This combination of products carries all of the required traffic.

“We were delighted to be chosen to provide equipment that both improved the scalability and flexibility of Ontera’s network” said Johan Hammarström, Transmode’s Head of North American Sales. “With the support of partners such as Sak Data, Transmode’s solutions continue to gain momentum in the North American market among carriers, service providers, and enterprise customers that are looking to dramatically improve their network efficiency and performance”, he continued.

Transmode’s technology has enabled Ontera to leverage its existing fiber assets and expand its core network capacity. It has given Ontera the ability to quickly turn on new high capacity private network services. By transitioning from a linear network to a resilient ring architecture, Ontera has extended the life of its network and is now prepared for the introduction of MPLS.

“With Transmode’s equipment, you don’t have to be a Tier 1 Service Provider to be able to support Tier 1 services”, said Ontera’s Chief Technology Officer, Bernie Vierich.

About Ontera

Ontera is a regional carrier in Canada which operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC). Ontera offers carrier class services to telecommunications companies wanting to do business in Northern Ontario. With its world class fibre optic network, it has the links into Northern Ontario communities, Ontera has the capability to help telecom service providers achieve their objectives.

About Sak Data Products Ltd.

Sak Data provides both printing and networking solutions for its client companies. Sak Data specializes in providing robust durable printing products as well as networking and communications solutions. Founded in 1977 Sak Data has forged links with some of the world’s leading manufacturers and is able to offer customers access to the latest and most appropriate technology for their needs.

About Transmode

Transmode is a leading provider of optical networking solutions for transport of data, voice and video traffic, based on CWDM and DWDM technology (Course/Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing).

Our customer base consists of more than 230 network operators, service providers, large enterprises and public institutions across Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Transmode’s comprehensive product portfolio and strong global organization enable our customers to cost efficiently grow the capacity and to improve service level of their regional, metro and metro access networks, without compromising on functionality.

For additional information about Transmode, please visit www.transmode.com