The deal, if approved by regulators, would arm Nortel with Qtera's promising optical-transmission technology. The gear can deliver data, voice and video traffic across national networks at up to 10Gbps. Qwest is among the first testers of Qtera's gear, which could help usher in the age of broadband networks.
Optical networks also could bolster Nortel's application service provider (ASP) initiative. Nortel hopes to accelerate ASP deployments by offering network-aware apps that are tested, certified and widely supported.
The company's Managed Application Services initiative is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2000 with application suites for hosted messaging, Web stores, corporate procurement, travel and entertainment expense reporting, and human resources self-service.
By midyear, Nortel plans to add desktop apps, call centers and collaboration suites. Concur Technologies Hewlett-Packard, InterShop and Software.com will back the initiative.
