TORONTO, Ont., September 10, 2009 – Cisco announced that Atria Networks, owner and operator of one of Ontario's largest fibre-optic networks, has completed a network upgrade based on the Cisco® ONS 15454 Multiservice Transport Platform and dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) technology.
Deployed by one of Canada's fastest-growing integrators, FlexITy Solutions, the Cisco ONS 15454 platform and Internet Protocol over DWDM technology utilizes multiple light wavelengths to transmit signals over a single optical fibre. IP over DWDM is a crucial component of optical networks because it maximizes the use of installed fibre cable, and allows Atria Networks to provision new services quickly and easily over existing Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) infrastructure.
As Atria continues to expand, it has seen an increase in the need for greater bandwidth from customers implementing high-demand applications such as those for health care and education. The company decided it wanted to move quickly to an IP over DWDM network to meet the bandwidth demands of customers and to ensure it had adequate connectivity in and out of its metropolitan areas to the locations customers were requesting.
Atria's fibre-optic networks connect communities from Ottawa to southwestern Ontario. Atria offers reliable, high-speed broadband services for business including Internet access, data network connectivity, security and continuity. The upgrade will enhance service capabilities, offering superior levels of quality, flexibility and scalability, providing its Ontario-based customers with reliable communications services and the ability to connect globally.
"Many of our customers are now hitting the traditional 'copper wall' with DSL and cable modems, requiring greater speeds and capabilities for their applications," says John Piercy, CEO of Atria Networks. "We strive to provide our customers with the highest quality of service, so we chose to strengthen and increase the reach of our network using Cisco ONS 15454 and IP over DWDM from Cisco, with deployment services from FlexITy."
The Cisco ONS 15454 MSTP was selected for upgrading the existing network to considerably increase traffic capacity and minimize outages. The Cisco solution helps enable simultaneous voice and data transfers through different channels and at different speeds. As one of the critical ingredients in the service provider optical transport network foundation, the Cisco ONS 15454 MSTP with reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexing (ROADM) technology offers Atria the combination of flexibility, capacity and future-proofing.
"We selected the solution from Cisco due to the tremendous manageability capabilities of the system and the troubleshooting features it provides for our team," Piercy says. "As well, we want to be prepared to handle the inevitable increase in demand we will face as applications such as video become standard."
Atria Networks' DWDM IP-based network will support plans to deploy voice within the next year as well as services such as video conferencing, Web conferencing and Cisco TelePresenceTM. The IP over DWDM network assures it will have the desired network quality and capability to provide and support these services as well as future applications.
"Innovative network operators like Atria require infrastructures that help enable more efficient delivery of services while providing the framework for the delivery of tomorrow's new application-intensive services," said Olaf Krahmer, vice president, service provider for Cisco Canada. "By deploying Cisco's Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network infrastructure, Atria is demonstrating its leadership in managing for the increased growth of converged services for voice, video, data and mobility and ramping up its capacity to deliver existing and future services."
"Together with Atria and Cisco, we are building a best practice wherein solutions integrators and service providers can share experience, resources and expertise to deliver new services to end customers," said Peter Stavropoulos, CEO, FlexITy Solutions. "Atria's vision of connecting islands of fibre into an efficient and highly available network is closely aligned with our expertise in helping local service providers extend their reach into new markets."
About Atria Networks
Atria Networks (www.atrianetworks.com) owns and operates one of Ontario's largest fibre-optic networks, connecting communities from Ottawa to south western Ontario.
The Company was established in 2005 by the merger of FibreTech Telecommunications (of Kitchener, ON) and Guelph FibreWired. Today, Atria Networks owns and operates one of Ontario's largest fibre-optic networks, connecting communities across Ontario. Atria Networks offers business data network services in Markham, Kitchener-Waterloo, Ottawa, Guelph, Cambridge, Hamilton, Vaughan, Orangeville, Barrie, Aurora, Peterborough, Orillia, Owen Sound and Cornwall.
About FlexITy Solutions Inc.
One of Canada's fastest growing Canadian solution providers, FlexITy's focus is on "Aligning Business and Technology". FlexITy combines a broad portfolio of solutions which it offers through its Technology Consulting, Infrastructure Solutions, and Managed Services practices. FlexITy is a leading Cisco Managed Services Partner with many advanced CISCO specializations and has recently launched the innovative FlexTEL offering via its state-of-the-art telecommunications facilities in Canada.
Additional information can be found at http://flextel.flexity.ca/
