GBI, Xtera claim first repeatered 100-Gbps cable system

Gulf Bridge International (GBI), which operates the Middle East’s first carrier neutral regional network, and systems house Xtera Communications Inc. say that GBI has put into service what the two parties believe is the first commercial repeatered submarine cable system with 100-Gbps technology.

The 100-Gbps link, which connects Egypt to Italy, uses Xtera’s multi-purpose Nu-Wave Optima platform in a submarine line terminal equipment (SLTE) configuration. The Nu-Wave Optima configuration for regional repeatered submarine cable systems includes a line monitoring module used for the supervision of the submerged repeaters.

GBI offers routes from Europe to the Middle East and on to Asia (see "GBI undersea cable system ready for service"). The 100G line transmission rate deployment, which was announced 6 months ago, will play a key role in GBI’s service delivery strategy.

“We are pleased to be working with Xtera to achieve this landmark 100G deployment in the Mediterranean,” commented Ahmed Mekky, board member and CEO of GBI. ”Today’s announcement reflects our ongoing commitment to be the region’s most advanced subsea cable operator and to ensure that our customers benefit from the latest technological advancements.”

“Xtera is proud to support GBI in the execution of their ambitious project to improve the international connections to the Middle East. The deployment of our 100G technology on a repeatered subsea link is further evidence of Xtera’s capability to improve the capacity and efficiency of all optical long-haul transmission infrastructures,” said Jon Hopper, President and CEO of Xtera.

The GBI deployment follows the recent announcement that CFE Telecom of Mexico will use the Nu-Wave Optima in a terrestrial configuration to support a new 100-Gbps network across the country, including a 24-span, 2,500-km path from Ciudad Juarez to Mexico City going through nine ROADMs (see “Mexico's CFE Telecom taps Xtera for 100G network”).