C&W Networks adds 400G support to CFX-1 and EWC submarine cables

Sept. 26, 2022
The 2400-km CFX-1 express submarine cable links the United States, Jamaica and Colombia with less than 25-ms latency. The 1,700-km EWC undersea cable connects the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) says that it is supplying elements of its GeoMesh Extreme optical transport technology portfolio to C&W Networks. The Caribbean and Latin American wholesale services provider is using the gear to enable support of 400G broadband and IP services on its CFX-1 (Colombia-Florida Express) and EWC (East West Cable) submarine cable networks.

The 2400-km CFX-1 express submarine cable links the United States, Jamaica and Colombia with less than 25-ms latency. The 1,700-km EWC undersea cable connects the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

The GeoMesh Extreme elements include the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform, sporting WaveLogic 5 Extreme coherent optics. The upgrade will add significant capacity to the submarine networks, including more than 32 Tbps, a 10X increase, of the CFX-1 submarine networks. C&W Networks also will leverage Ciena’s Manage, Control and Plan (MCP) domain controller for network management and Ciena Services for deployment and reconfiguration.

“Online content, especially streaming video, continues to drive robust demand for data and high-speed connectivity in the regions we serve. The additional capacity we’re turning up on CFX-1 and EWC with Ciena allows us to meet this demand head-on, enriching our service offerings for customers while sustainably and cost-effectively extending the lifespan of these cable systems,” stated Chris Coles, vice president and general manager, C&W Networks.

For related articles, visit the Network Design Topic Center.

For more information on high-speed transmission systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.

To stay abreast of fiber network deployments, subscribe to Lightwave’s Service Providers and Datacom/Data Center newsletters.

About the Author

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.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.

Sponsored Recommendations

March 25, 2025
Explore how government initiatives and industry innovations are transforming rural broadband deployments, overcoming cost and logistical challenges to connect underserved areas...
March 12, 2025
Join us for an engaging discussion with industry experts on the intersection of AI and optics. Moderated by Sean Buckley, editor-in-chief of Lightwave+BTR, this panel will explore...
April 9, 2025
As transceiver speeds increase, so do thermal challenges. Discover key insights into innovative cooling solutions that ensure optimal performance and reliability.
March 7, 2025
In today’s hyperconnected world, rolling out and managing profitable, high-performance networks for access and transport will require innovative architectural approaches. The ...