CenturyLink deploys 100 Gbps via multiple vendors

Nov. 15, 2012
CenturyLink Inc. (NYSE: CTL) is the latest U.S. carrier to announce nationwide 100-Gbps capabilities. The Tier 1 service provider says it now can support 100-Gbps wavelengths across its nationwide backbone as well as in more than 50 metro markets. More than one vendor is supplying 100-Gbps technology to the carrier, a CenturyLink spokesperson tells Lightwave.

CenturyLink Inc. (NYSE: CTL) is the latest U.S. carrier to announce nationwide 100-Gbps capabilities. The Tier 1 service provider says it now can support 100-Gbps wavelengths across its nationwide fiber-optic backbone as well as in more than 50 metro markets. More than one vendor is supplying 100-Gbps technology to the carrier, a CenturyLink spokesperson tells Lightwave.

In addition to the U.S. deployments, CenturyLink also has added 100-Gbps capacity in its networks in Singapore and London. CenturyLink plans to add 100-Gbps capabilities to more cities outside the U.S. early next year as well.

The 100-Gbps offering is available to enterprise and wholesale customers via CenturyLink’s dedicated 100 Gigabit Ethernet Optical Wavelength Service. The carrier plans to extend the high-capacity capabilities early in 2013 to include connectivity to Savvis cloud, hosting, and colocation services; data centers; and customer business locations.

The company originally did not release the names of the systems companies whose 100-Gbps technology is being deployed. However, Sean Buckley of Fierce Telecom reported yesterday that Alcatel-Lucent's (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) 1625 LambdaXtreme Transport platform is part of the roll out. CenturyLink media relations staffer Stephanie Meisse, Buckley’s source, subsequently confirmed via email to Lightwave the accuracy of the Fierce Telecom report. “[B]ut they are not the only vendor,” Meisse wrote. “We are not disclosing the others at this time.”

The confirmation that more than one vendor is supplying 100-Gbps technology to CenturyLink is good news for those of us who speculated that the company is Infinera’s (NASDAQ: INFN) so far unidentified Tier 1 customer for the DTN-X (see “Guess that customer!”).

CenturyLink’s U.S. 100-Gbps deployment follows Verizon’s earlier announcement of its 100-Gbps roll out plans (see “Verizon to deploy 100 Gbps on three U.S. routes”). XO Communications also recently unveiled its U.S. nationwide 100-Gbps deployment (see “XO Communications chooses Nokia Siemens Networks for nationwide 100G network”).

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


About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher

Stephen Hardy has covered fiber optics for more than 15 years, and communications and technology for more than 30 years. He is responsible for establishing and executing Lightwave's editorial strategy across its digital magazine, website, newsletters, research and other information products. He has won multiple awards for his writing.

Contact Stephen to discuss:

  • Contributing editorial material to the Web site or digital magazine
  • The direction of a digital magazine issue, staff-written article, or event
  • Lightwave editorial attendance at industry events
  • Arranging a visit to Lightwave's offices
  • Coverage of announcements
  • General questions of an editorial nature

Sponsored Recommendations

Transforming the metro network and the evolution of the "Digital Service Provider"

March 4, 2025
Join experts at EXFO and Ekinops in this webinar that will review the evolving metro-centric requirements and the technologies emerging to meet them.

AI and Network Convergence: Transforming Global Connectivity

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 ...

Unveiling the Synergy Between AI and Optical Networking

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...

On Topic: Fiber - The Rural Equation

Oct. 29, 2024
RURAL BROADBAND:AN OPPORTUNITY AND A CHALLENGE The rural broadband market has always been a challenge for service providers. However, the recent COVID-19 pandemic highlighted ...