Companhia Paranaense de Energia (Copel), a Parana-based regional power utility and telecoms operator, has selected Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to supply it with optical networking equipment to increase its network capacity and reduce costs. Under the plan Copel intends to construct a 3,000km fibre-optic network in the region, capable of delivering high speed, affordable data services to end users. Commenting on the award, Copel’s head of transmission and infrastructure engineering Antonio Carlos W R de Melo, said: ‘Brazil has a low fixed line broadband penetration of 6%, compared to the Latin American average of 11%. In our attempt to increase broadband penetration and serve a larger number of users, it’s crucial to keep prices low, especially in the under-served areas.’
NSN has inked a two-year agreement with Copel under which its will deploy its dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) technology. It is understood the telco’s network will be equipped with the photonic cross-connect technology to reduce the cost of carrying data and to ensure network scalability. NSN is also offering related services, including network installation, commissioning, training and support, and also providing Copel with its optical network planning tool, TransNet, to optimise network rollout and lower operating costs.