Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Limited, the leading supplier of high performance telecommunications solutions, has won a major contract award from BT Plc for its Access Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) network implementation, due to go live in 1999. The three-year contract involves the implementation of a brand new Access node solution by FTEL for BT's Access data network, involving fibre delivery SDH, SDH Radio and HDSL copper technologies complemented by Fujitsu's turnkey TMN-compliant network management system. A major component o f the contract involves the capability to evolve the network from the current circuit-based SDH platform to support cell-based traffic in the future, underlining Fujitsu's extensive capabilities in the field of leading edge optical transmission and telecommunications switching technology.

Fujitsu was awarded the contract in the face of fierce market competition, winning an initial 50% share. Fujitsu has been at the forefront of synchronous equipment development from the outset, supplying more than 100,000 of its STM-1/4/16 Multiplexers to major operators throughout the world. The BT SDH Access contract will use Fujitsu's third generation FLX Customer SDH (FLX-CSDH) multiplexer solution at its core, enabling BT to provide the cost-effective delivery of SDH performance to customers with circuit requirements from a single 2Mbit/s link to a full STM-1 implementation.

For BT, Access SDH is a key component in the evolution of its access network. Granville Taylor, Wideband Programme Manager, BT, commented: "Access SDH will allow us to extend the benefits of SDH to a wider range of customer, very cost-effectively on copper, fibre or radio. It can easily evolve to handle the wide range of data services, which the datawave explosion is expected to bring. We are very pleased to be working with Fujitsu on this important project."

Fujitsu's SDH infrastructure is designed around a robust, reliable and flexible configuration, catering for all network topologies. It is particularly suited to applications involving many network layers - from the access network level to the core or backbone network level. The FLX-CSDH range of products encompasses a fully integrated solution across Copper, Radio and Optical service delivery, exploiting the core SDH capability within an existing network and providing a future-proof transmission medium to support new network services. Key features of the range include its compatibility with existing equipment, proven reliability in service, ease of deployment and cost-effective maintenance.

Fujitsu's FLX-CSDH solution is complemented by Fujitsu's Expandable Network Management System Access Networks (FENS) software, which is an integral element of the BT SDH Access implementation. This manages the FLX-CSDH system remotely, providing simultaneous access to multiple nodes for significantly reduced operations and maintenance costs. Combining powerful management features with the lowest possible administration costs, FENS supports a secure World Wide Web-based multi-user interface, full TMN conformance, context-sensitive online help services and full service-oriented management information reporting.

With its European headquarters in Birmingham, Fujitsu has a long-established track record for product and service innovation, with a high profile customer base which includes wide-ranging contracts for BT in the access network, FePX-20 (telecommunications over passive optical networks), plus the fibre and radio wideband delivery systems - DWSS and RWSS. Its product range encompasses advanced solutions for Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) networks, Fibre Access systems, Radio Access Systems, Passive Optical networks, and ISDN applications, complemented by a comprehensive range of TMN-compliant network management systems.

As a strategic division of Fujitsu Telecommunications of Japan - currently one of the world's largest telecommunications equipment suppliers - Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe has an extensive research and development resource at its Birmingham location, and also operates as part of Fujitsu's global manufacturing resource. In addition to the R&D capabilities, the facilities at the Birmingham site include sophisticated surface mount technology production, accompanied by a dedicated support facility, a large customer training centre and a thriving external plant organisation. The company also has an R&D centre in Northern Ireland, alongside a manufacturing plant and a service centre, complemented by a manufacturing plant in Portugal, and regional offices in Spain, the Nordic countries and Belgium.

For further information, please contact: