Spark rolls out 800G OTN 2 fiber network with self-healing capabilities
New Zealand operator Spark says it has finished the first stage of its new backbone Optical Transport Network (OTN 2). The fiber network will feature the addition of self-healing capabilities and 800G transport rates, thanks to a partnership with Ciena (NYSE: CIEN).
The initial phase focused on a route between Glenfield and Papakura in Auckland. Spark says this link is operating at 800 Gbps, a significantly higher transmission rate than the previous 100 and 200 Gbps. The enhanced transmission capabilities will help support Spark’s 5G services as well as transporting the service provider’s broadband, landline, and business customer traffic. OTN 2 also will connect Spark with other service providers and international submarine cable networks.
In addition to the increased transmission rates, the self-healing capabilities are important as well, say Spark sources. “The ‘self-healing’ technology, which we believe is a first for New Zealand, will minimize the impact of network outages. These are caused by cuts in the fiber cable from earthquakes, floods, landslips, construction works, or rodents damaging cables,” explains Campbell Fraser, Spark’s Technology Tribe Lead. “Currently, restoring service is a manual process but the sharp growth in network traffic means manual restoration is becoming unmanageable. The optical restoration ‘self-healing’ technology allows the light signals that carry the data to automatically change their path after a fiber cut, so this is a big step forward. We expect to be able to restore services much more quickly so we can get customers back up and running.”
Ciena has supplied its 6500 flexible-grid colorless, directionless, and contentionless (CDC) packet transport platform. The optical transport systems feature advanced control plane capabilities, the company’s WaveLogic 5 Extreme coherent optics, and Blue Planet Manage, Control and Plan domain controller with Liquid Spectrum analytics. Spark has deployed these initial systems as an express overlay to the existing core network but plans to completely replace its legacy network by the time the two-year project concludes. Expansion from the initial phase will see upgrades move toward Hamilton, Wellington, and Christchurch.
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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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