Hargray Communications has installed a DWDM system from Ciena Corp. to increase its network capacity for VOD, HDTV, metro Ethernet and other high-bandwidth services on its OC-48 Sonet network, which the company said is nearing capacity.`

Hargray is using Ciena’s CN 4200 FlexSelect Advanced Services Platform to upgrade its existing SONET network with multiservice, programmable DWDM transport and aggregation technology.

Hagray began using the expanded capacity to carry some of the existing SONET traffic, and is now using it to carry video services over dedicated Gigabit Ethernet connections. As more capacity is needed, Hargray said it can simply add more Gigabit Ethernet connections regardless of the service type that needs to be transported.

Hargray, which provides service in South Carolina and Georgia, offers a portfolio of residential and business services, including local and long distance voice, Ethernet LAN, wireless, high-speed data (DSL and cable modem), and cable TV over both IPTV and HFC networks.

“While DWDM technology has been a staple in large telecom networks for years, the rise of triple and quad play services, fiber-based access networks and heavy video traffic is creating a new market opportunity for metro DWDM as IOCs use it for fiber relief,” said Mike Aquino, senior vice president of worldwide sales at Ciena.