Sunday
Jun212020
Windstream to add ICE6 as it stirs its optical network
Sunday, June 21, 2020 at 11:55AM - Windstream has used Infinera’s latest optical equipment to send an 800-gigabit signal over 730km.
- The operator wants to reduce the cost of sending bits and slash the time taken to fulfil wholesale orders.
Windstream has sent an 800-gigabit optical signal between the US cities of Phoenix and San Diego.
The operator used Infinera’s Groove modular chassis fitted with its latest ICE6 infinite capacity engine for the trial.
Infinera reported in March sending an 800-gigabit signal 950km with another operator but this is the first time a customer, Windstream, is openly discussing a trial and the technology.
Art Nichols
The bulk of Windstream’s traffic is sent using 100-gigabit wavelengths. Moving to 800-gigabit will reduce its optical transport costs.
Windstream will also be able to cram more digital traffic down its fibre. It sends 12 terabits and that could grow to 40 terabits.
