NEC America Public Networks Group, a developer of advanced communication products, software and services for public networks, and Tellium (Nasdaq: TELM), provider of the world's first in-service, intelligent core optical switch, have announced a joint marketing and development agreement. The two companies plan to develop integrated optical systems, designed to simplify optical networks with fewer networking components.

Proven DWDM optical technology from NEC, combined with core optical switching hardware and software from Tellium, will give carriers a high- capacity, reliable and cost-effective mesh network solution with a smaller footprint that requires less power and maintenance. NEC's flexible, compact DWDM system, the SpectralWave 160, combined with Tellium's Aurora family of Optical Switches and StarNet Software Suite, provide the space, power and cost savings necessary to build or enhance a modern carrier-class, next-generation network.

"The work that Tellium and NEC are undertaking together demonstrates our commitment to offering a smarter, more cost-effective optical network for carriers," said Dr. Rikio Maruta, senior vice president at NEC America, Inc. "Integration of this type simplifies both the architecture and the management of the optical mesh network." "We're pleased to align our efforts with a major DWDM player like NEC," said Harry Carr, Tellium's Chairman and CEO. "By combining our family of core optical switches and network planning and management tools with NEC's leading position in the networking industry, we're offering integrated and simplified optical switching solutions that help carriers lower their operating costs."

Under the joint development agreement, NEC and Tellium plan to develop a client interface card that integrates Tellium's Aurora Optical Switch with NEC's SpectralWave 160 DWDM transponder. The agreement also covers joint development of integrated network management functionality for the Aurora Optical Switch and the SpectralWave 160 DWDM system. The client interface card and integrated network management system are expected to reduce customer transponder and operating expenses.

SpectralWave 160 is NEC's ultra-dense DWDM system. It supports up to 160 2.5G and 10G wavelengths on a single fiber. The system's advanced feature set includes 4:1 multiplexing to carry four OC-48/STS-16 signals to be carried on a single 10G wavelength, resulting in a maximum channel capacity of 640 OC-48/STS-16 channels. SpectralWave 160 will be in the NEC booth at SuperComm 2001.