- 22 May 2006 -

Siemens acquires China-based Photonic Bridges

Siemens says that its acquisition of fibre optic specialist Photonic Bridges, (Shanghai, China) strengthens Siemens' position in this growth market. Subject to approval from the appropriate authorities and governing boards, Siemens will integrate the previous OEM partner’s entire product portfolio into the value-added chain of its optical transmission systems.

With over 300 employees, Photonic Bridges develops optical transmission systems for ranges up to 200km.

The total market volume worldwide for optical next generation Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) systems is currently some 2.3bn euros and will, according to Ovum RHK, increase to 3.1bn euros by 2010.

NG (next generation) SDH systems bring traditional optical SDH transmission and data technologies together and thereby enable network carriers to transmit connection-oriented services (e.g. voice services) and package-oriented data services via an existing SDH infrastructure. Regardless of whether the network carrier wants to provide Fast Ethernet, GBit Ethernet, 2 or 34-Mbit/s leased lines, etc, the NG SDH multiplexer makes all of these services available simultaneously on one optical interface. For this reason, NG SDH Systems are also known as multiservice provisioning platforms (MSPPs).
Christian Unterberger, head of fixed network business at Siemens Communications, comments: “Photonic Bridges is one of the leading companies in the SDH market. With our commitment to Photonic Bridges, we are expanding our development capacity in forward-looking areas and securing our access to those products that offer our customers significant added value.”

James Hsu, CEO of Photonic Bridges, adds: "The team at Photonic Bridges is looking forward to becoming a part of Siemens. Together with Siemens, we are in an excellent position to set the stage for above-average growth in this extraordinarily dynamic market.”

www.siemens.com