CWDM
Cost-effective fiber multiplier
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) is the driving force behind today’s networks. WDM transmission systems use multiple wavelengths (colors of light) to transport information over a single fiber. Every wavelength (color) carries an individual signal that does not interfere with the other wavelengths (colors). In simple terms: WDM creates virtual fibers – the best and simplest way to multiply fiber capacity.
Cost or capacity?
CWDM (Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing) is a standardized WDM technology that uses up to 20 different wavelengths for data transmission over a single fiber. In contrast to Dense WDM (DWDM), CWDM uses only a ‘coarse’ wavelength grid, so the underlying optical component technology is simpler. This makes CWDM systems very cost-effective, but also limits them in terms of total capacity.

... deploy CWDM for very low cost and small- to medium-sized scalability ...
The freedom of choice – today and tomorrow
We remove unnecessary network constraints and give our customers full flexibility. This enables network operators to either deploy CWDM for very low cost and small- to medium-sized scalability, or Dense WDM (DWDM) for reasonable, pay-as-you-grow investment and tremendous capacity. Our FSP 3000 solution even offers hybrid CWDM/DWDM capability, providing an optimum balance between CWDM's low cost of entry and DWDM's in-service scalability.
