Abstract

The next-generation agile, intelligent optical network has unquestioned benefits over the legacy fixed network. However, migration to this network utopia will require incremental steps. Each step must be clearly justifiable on its own in terms of capital cost reduction to network operators yet each step must also lead directly to the next. For component companies and technologies, success requires alignment with the entire roadmap, both the ultimate goal and the intervening steps.

© 2005 Optical Society of America