Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Ltd, the leading supplier of high performance telecommunications solutions, has unveiled its latest generation solution for the access network environment - the FBX-Access Multi-Service SDH range of equipment, designed to unlock the full potential of Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) technology.  Fujitsu's new platform combines exceptional manageability and resilience, together with the facilities to manage new-generation ATM/IP technology alongside legacy services.  Handling a variety of network access infrastructures - copper, fibre and radio - FBX-Access provides the means to take fully-managed SDH services all the way to the customer, without compromising varying bandwidth requirements, network reliability or service availability.

The FBX-Access Multi-Service SDH range of equipment is designed to address the spectrum of network operators' access requirements for both narrowband and broadband service delivery.  Fujitsu has concentrated all the required elements into a single platform - fusing innovation and flexibility into a standard-setting solution.  The product significantly extends the benefits of SDH and DSL technology, overcoming the traditional cost limitations that resulted in SDH being viable only for the core network.  By taking SDH out into the access domain, operators can respond to the continual challenge of meeting customers' demands competitively and efficiently.

Fujitsu's innovative FBX-Access design has produced a new breed of flexible, upgradeable access equipment, incorporating high performance Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) with an extremely efficient ratio of elements - across cost, bandwidth and performance.  The product's versatility is matched by exceptional functionality, in full compliance with ITU-T and ETSI standards.  Commenting on this significant product development, Fujitsu Telecommunication Europe Ltd's managing director, Shigeyuki Unagami said:

"There is a growing emphasis on achieving ever-shorter times to market, with the telecommunications market looking to drive costs down and deliver a wider cross-section of reliable services ever faster.  Reacting to these pressures requires a new approach to access network development, putting the spotlight on the evolving requirement for a genuine multi-service access platform.  The launch of our new FBX-Access SDH platform epitomises our solution-orientated approach.  It provides the new generation tools needed to maximise the future communications environment and the opportunities it presents.  In Europe, Fujitsu has the products, the teams and the resources to partner the most challenging projects - working with the region's leading players to harness technological advances and turn them into dynamic market implementations.  Fujitsu has the answers to fulfill the challenges at every level, as demonstrated by our latest product development."

At the core of the FBX-Access solution is the Consolidation Unit (CU), which can be connected to a broad range of Network Terminating Equipment (NTE) or installed directly into the customer's premises to handle the provision of high bandwidth or multiple services.  This is complemented by a variety of PDH and SDH interfaces, providing versatile, cost-effective connection to customer-located NTEs.  The ability also to connect to other FBX family elements, such as ADSL, DSLAM and multi-service multiplexers to the CU means that all current and future services can be supported from a common platform.  Above all, FBX-Access is designed as an intrinsically modular system, enabling new services or data rates to be accommodated as required.  The most advanced network management facilities are essential if the access network is to be run with the maximum efficiency, keeping costs low and achieving the most rapid response to customer demands.  Fujitsu has built on its proven expertise in this field to develop an advanced solution for operation in conjunction with FBX-Access.  The FLEXR-EM/AC network management platform combines a modular architecture with a standardised access management model - providing integrated, remote management of multi-vendor access networks at the lowest operational cost.

Headquartered in Birmingham, UK, Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe has extensive research and development facilities and also operates as part of Fujitsu's global manufacturing resource. The company has a long-established track record for product and service innovation, with extensive expertise in the field of leading edge optical transmission and telecommunications switching technology. This ranges from the development of the most advanced Photonic Network Solutions; to Passive Optical Networks; Fibre Access Systems; Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) networks; Advanced Switching Systems; Radio Access Systems and IP Applications; in addition to its TMN-compliant Network Management Systems.

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