Windstream Wholesale, Colt trial managed spectrum via 600G wavelength
Windstream Wholesale says it combined with Colt Technology Services to test the managed spectrum capabilities of Windstream’s optical network. The two companies collaborated on a trial that saw Colt use the Windstream Flex grid open line system between Chicago and Ashburn, VA, to create a 600G wavelength using Colt’s coherent transmission system. Colt used the managed spectrum to transmit multiple 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and 400GbE services nearly 1800 km between the two hubs.
Windstream says the trial demonstrates the capabilities of its disaggregated Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON, formerly NCON; see "Windstream taps Ciena for next-generation National Converged Optical Network") architecture to provide multi-vendor open line system scalability and alien wavelength support. Windstream also was able to provide performance metrics via its Layer Zero Analytics through a customer portal. The information provided via the portal is designed to enable customers using the ICON to plan coherent wavelength deployments, self-diagnose service performance, and assess the health of the network at any time, Windstream added.
Colt, meanwhile, was able to leverage the capabilities of its IQ Network. “This trial between Colt and Windstream saw Colt being able to deliver 400G and multiple 100G services over a 600G wavelength using our next-gen transmission system and Windstream’s spectrum offering in a fully integrated way,” commented Vivek Gaur, vice president - network engineering for Colt.
“Colt has been investing in its high-bandwidth, agile, on-demand network – the Colt IQ Network – for many years,” Gaur continued. “We have extensive experience in successfully delivering spectrum solutions for our customers in Europe – however, this successful trial using Windstream spectrum opens the possibility of building out a 100G-capable U.S. backbone network. We are also excited for what this trial means for our future collaboration with Windstream, as Colt actively pursues innovation and investment in technology trials to drive potential partnerships – so, we look forward to working together more.”
“This first foray into managed spectrum by Windstream Wholesale demonstrates the flexibility of our ICON network and the technology’s exciting potential for domestic terrestrial networks,” said Buddy Bayer, chief network officer for Windstream. “It’s another step in Windstream’s ongoing and carefully planned network architectural strategy that leverages the benefits of fundamental design principles of disaggregation, openness, flexibility, and network intelligence. As always, the ultimate goal is to meet our customers’ expanding need for high-capacity bandwidth in the most efficient manner for years to come.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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