CenturyLink builds out European fiber-optic network
CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) says it has launched a major fiber-optic network expansion in Europe. The U.S. based Tier 1 service has built new metro networks in Madrid and Marseille and announced plans to connect 90 data centers through the middle of next year to its network in six core markets. The new footprint is part of a fiber infrastructure expansion initiative announced earlier this year (see "CenturyLink adding 4.7 million fiber miles to U.S., European fiber-optic networks").
In Madrid, CenturyLink has constructed a 40-mile ring fiber network. The route runs through the city center, financial areas, and city’s Silicon Alley and connects five core data centers. In Marseille, the service provider also has constructed a fiber ring which, in this case, connects three data centers. The new metro network offers connections to “key” cable landing stations. CenturyLink indicated that additional data centers will be connected in both cities.
Meanwhile, the service provider has launched an effort to add 90 data centers to its overall European fiber network. The facilities are located in the UK, Ireland, Benelux, DACH (Austria, Germany, and Switzerland), Nordics, Southern Europe and Eastern Europe regions. Fifty of these data centers should be connected to the network by the end of this year.
"Our new fiber expansions in Europe take CenturyLink's network and technology services deeper and closer to our customers," said Richard Warley, regional president, EMEA, CenturyLink. "This puts us where we need to be to meet their growing and evolving digital business needs, as well as enhance their customer experience with new technology solutions. This regional investment reflects CenturyLink's global focus to continue enhancing our significant fiber network for fueling innovation."
CenturyLink say its fiber infrastructure in Europe connects to more than 400 public and private data centers and more than 2000 on-net, fiber-fed enterprise buildings.
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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.
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