Submarine optical networks at the threshold of Tbit/s per fiber capability

Alcatel has developed a transmission system, based on Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), which enables the simultaneous transmission of several wavelengths over a single optical fiber. Alcatel is aiming at increasing the bandwidth of the optical fibers and reducing the spectral variations of the optical fiber's chromatic dispersions to increase the transmission capacity. The technique will enable the company to offer transoceanic networks capable of transmitting more than a hundred wavelengths modulated at 10 Gbit/s. Such capacities will prove to be the gateway for limitless expansion of the worldwide internet network .