A Cost Model for the WDM Layer

In this paper a detailed capital expenditure cost model is presented taking various network elements and node architectures at the WDM layer into account. It was developed within the European NOBEL project [1] and aligned by major European network suppliers and operators. The current cost structure of WDM transport equipment is shown in a normalised format. Typical model applications are also discussed by presenting examples. This model can serve as a reference for future techno-economic research into optical transport networks in general.