BT deploys Ciena Waveserver platform for 5G, FTTP support

BT will deploy Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) says it will supply its Waveserver data center interconnect (DCI) platform to BT. The UK incumbent will use the platforms to connect its data centers to the UK’s main Internet peering nodes in support of its 5G and fiber to the premises (FTTP) roll outs.

Ciena is a longstanding supplier to BT (see, for example, “British Telecom re-ups with Ciena for 6500 packet-optical transport systems”). In this extension of their partnership, BT will use the Waveserver to accommodate increased traffic demands as it deploys 5G in 16 cities this year. The service provider also expects traffic from its FTTP customers to increase 40% annually, says Ciena, further increasing the requirement for additional network capacity. To manage this capacity, BT will deploy Ciena’s Blue Planet® Manage, Control and Plan platform.

“We are launching 5G in 2019 across the busiest parts of 16 UK cities, and our FTTP footprint is growing on a daily basis,” said Neil J. McRae, Chief Architect, BT. “We have to stay ahead of the massive traffic growth that this brings, and the Ciena DCI platform ensures we can do that – quickly, making maximum use of automation.”

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