Old Long Haul Versus New Long Haul Fiber

[Rod Beck <rod.beck () unitedcablecompany com>]

I am curious how much of a performance gap exists between new long haul fiber and fiber laid during the Great Boom from 
1998-2001. We are very close to 20 years.


I assume there are two dimensions, namely bit carrying capacity of an individual wave and total bandwidth capacity of a 
fiber pair. I have been told and readily believe that fiber improvements do make a difference. But I have no sense of 
magnitudes. My impression is that the 1998-2001 fiber probably cannot handle above 100 gig waves and about 14 terabits 
per fiber pair at least on Trans-Atlantic cables.


- R.

www.crosslakefibre.ca<http://www.crosslakefibre.ca>

www.unitedcablecompany.com<http://www.s>