Ciena facilitates ‘fastest ever’ speeds on NZ network
TelstraClear has successfully tested Ciena’s 100 Gigabit technology across its core fibre optic cable network between Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, the company has announced. The test confirms the network’s capacity to support customers with ultra fast broadband at download speeds of up to 100 Mb/s, says Ciena.
TelstraClear installed next-generation optical equipment to enable its intercity transmission network to carry multiple light signals at speeds up to 100 Gb/s, and says it has now tested the core network links at these speeds. TelstraClear’s existing core network is based on Ciena’s Optical Multiservice Edge (OME) 6500 platform. However, by inserting 100G cards into the platform, TelstraClear is able to deploy 100G wavelengths alongside existing 40G and 10G wavelengths and carry live customer traffic without needing to re-engineer any fibre routes or wavelengths.
The speeds were the fastest ever achieved on a New Zealand telecoms network, said TelstraClear’s Chief Technologist William Lee. “The trials prove that we can now go up to 100 Gb/s and begin engineering solutions for customers based on the availability of those speeds on the core network. We might not need them at this stage, but the capacity is there as more customers look for ultra-fast downloading or when network congestion becomes an issue due to current sustained rates of data volume growth.”
“As a major operator in New Zealand experiencing strong growth in key areas of its business, TelstraClear has confirmed its ability to maximise and extend the value of its existing network investment using our proven 100G technology,” said Ciena’s Vice President and General Manager of Asia-Pacific, Anthony McLachlan. “This in-service upgrade results in faster time to market and a competitive edge in network capacity, performance and service delivery. Our work with TelstraClear extends our unmatched experience and market leadership in deploying 100G coherent technology in live networks over extended distances and diverse operating environments on land and under the sea.”
