English (UK) 
简体中文(中国) Paris, October 27, 2008 - Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE:ALU)and Telstra have activated a new 9,120-kilometre submarine cable called ‘Telstra Endeavour’, which will increase internet capacity between Australia and the United States.
The name ‘Telstra Endeavour’ by Melbourne-based Mr Peter Moon was chosen after a nationwide competition encouraging all Australians to name the cable.
"I chose the name in honour of Captain Cook and his flagship Endeavour being the link between Hawaii and Australia," Mr Moon said.
Telstra Endeavour has taken 18 months to build and has been transmitting data since mid September. The cable can be scaled up to 1.28 Terabits per second capacity between the two countries and at full capacity is capable of carrying 160,000 concurrent high definition television channels.
Telstra Endeavour has been built to carry the increasing volume of data transferred between Australia and the United States via the internet. The United States currently accounts for around 65 per cent of all internet content.
Michael Rocca, Group Managing Director at Telstra Networks and Services said “Telstra Endeavour is another illustration of Telstra’s willingness to invest in technology for the benefit of all Australians.
"Telstra Endeavour was specially manufactured in Calais, France and laid in four sections (up to six kilometres deep in some sections) by Telstra’s partner Alcatel-Lucent which took 18 months to complete.
"Global businesses and consumers who use data-rich services such as telecommuting, video-conferencing and mobile video applications will have access to a more seamless and reliable service through this increased network capacity," Mr Rocca said.
Alcatel-Lucent is a key supplier of communications technology in Australia since 1895 - from providing the first telephones and exchanges in Australia, to linking Australasia to the rest of the world with undersea fibre cable, and as the provider of most of Australasia's vast and complex local copper access network.
Hilary Mine, Alcatel-Lucent’s Managing Director in Australasia and North Asia, said“As Telstra’s partner, Alcatel-Lucent is delighted to celebrate this latest milestone which is dramatically enhancing Australia’s communications capacity. Telstra Endeavour, delivered ahead of schedule, will interconnect with the new Asia America Gateway cable, when completed, and other existing cables providing direct access to the mainland US”.
The increased capacity means Telstra’s retail and wholesale customers will enjoy:
- higher Internet speeds and greater security when they access information from the United States on Telstra’s Next G™ network and through BigPond, and when they use services such as telecommuting and videoconferencing
- an expanded range and quality of services for business customers including advanced multimedia and e-commerce applications, and more intelligent network services
