FlexNetworks establishes 100G fiber network connectivity between Regina and Saskatoon
FlexNetworks says it has turned up the first commercial 100G service between Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. The fiber network runs between the University of Regina to the University of Saskatchewan as part of the CANARIE research and education network but will provide connectivity to rural communities along the route as well.
BH Telecom Corp., doing business as FlexNetworks, owns and operates fiber-optic infrastructure throughout Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, including this new route. "This latest investment serves to strengthen the security of Canada's research and education sector," says Jacques Taillefer, executive vice president at FlexNetworks. "At the same time, it provides affordable high-speed Internet and creates economic development opportunities for underserved communities."
Communities that will benefit from access to the fiber route include Clavet, Young, Nokomis, Bulyea, and Lumsden.
Meanwhile, CANARIE and users of the national research and education network are happy to have another fiber network resource. "This is an exciting development for students and researchers in Saskatchewan and for their colleagues across Canada and around the world," commented Mark Wolff, CANARIE's CTO. "This end-to-end connection eliminates capacity constraints on this route and improves network resilience in the province."
"This new Regina-Saskatoon link is a key piece of digital infrastructure for education, research, and innovation in Saskatchewan. It will support the data-intensive collaboration and learning that will help grow our technology sector," added Chad Coller, president and CEO of Saskatchewan Research Network (SRNET).
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.
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.