IBM introduces dense wavelength-division-multiplexing technology

A commercial prototype fiberoptic multiplexer that enables the transmission of 20 simultaneous data streams, including text, video, audio, and image files, over a single fiber has been introduced by IBM (Yorktown Heights, NY). Using wavelength-division-multiplexing technology, the "MuxMaster" allows up to ten 200-Mbits/s simultaneous two-way channels to be transmitted over a 50-km-long fiber. IBM's Paul Green said that using the MuxMaster increases the fiber capacity by twentyfold, with potential savings of 95% of the cost of leased fiber.

The technology is currently undergoing testing at Morgan Stanley and Bank of Australia to support rapid disaster recovery by providing real-time duplication of data between computing sites on a round-the-clock basis.