But with the explosion of fiber optic technology, the width in bandwidth is being dramatically redefined, from 56 Kbps up to 320 Gbps. Optical networks began with the laying of one fiber optic cable span for the transmission of voice. Now it is possible for service providers to connect the long haul optical carriers with metropolitan area networks, and even with optical networks as localized as an office building. The optical Internet can stretch all the way to the business user's desktop. The benefits are clear.
Optical networks mean speed and capacity.
With the help of tools that capitalize on optical technology, the already great capacity of fiber optics can increase up to 32 times. What's more, the capacity is scalable, so bandwidth can be increased to meet increasing needs. And the optical Internet is as reliable as it is fast. Providing optical Internet technology is one reason Nortel Networks is the global Internet, telecommunications, networking and communications leader. Nortel Networks is redefining the economics and quality of networking and the Internet, promising a new era of collaboration, communications and commerce.