F6 Networks upgrades maritime Canadian connections with Ciena

Canadian network operator F6 Networks Inc. says has deployed converged packet-optical transport and packet networking platforms from Ciena Corp. (NASDAQ: CIEN) to deliver high-capacity fiber connectivity between Saint John and Fredericton, in the province of New Brunswick.

F6 Networks is building an open access, dark fiber network that provides connectivity between Atlantic Canada and the Northeastern U.S. for public sector organizations, private enterprises, Internet services providers, and wireless carriers.

With the 100G capabilities provided by the new fiber-optic network, F6 Networks is addressing growing demand for broadband connectivity throughout the province, bringing more scalable and secure communication services to users to help drive sustainable economic development. F6 will also introduce 10 and 1 Gigabit Ethernet services to New Brunswick, responding to the bandwidth needs of the region’s major metropolitan hubs.

“To thrive in the global economy, Atlantic Canada must maintain a telecommunications infrastructure that is both world-class and cost-effective. F6 is part of a growing tech community striving to drive economic development, job creation, and quality of life in the region, and Ciena’s platforms position us to meet this goal,” said Eric Morin, chief technology officer, F6 Networks.

Leveraging Ciena’s OPN network architecture with both packet-optical transport systems and packet networking platforms, this deployment enables F6 to respond to new business opportunities in areas such as cloud connectivity and Ethernet business services, and wholesale mobile backhaul. For example, F6 recently announced a collaboration with CANARIE, Canada’s national research and education network, to support network-enabled research at post-secondary institutions throughout northern New Brunswick.

With Ciena’s E-Suite family, including the 6500 packet-optical transport platform, F6 will deliver 100G services to regional customers. F6 will also offer metro aggregation using Ciena’s Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) CE2.0-certified 5142 service aggregation switches.

In addition, F6 will deliver 10GbE and 1GbE services to customers in Saint John and Fredericton powered by Ciena’s CE2.0-certified 3916 and 3930 Service Delivery Switches. Ciena’s Service-Aware Operating System (SAOS) will provide zero-touch provisioning, line-rate service activation testing, and remote troubleshooting.

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Want to learn more about packet transport innovation? Attend the Lightwave Optical Innovation Summit
The Lightwave Optical Innovation Summit will feature panels and presentations that will illuminate where optical innovation is required in carrier and enterprise/data center networks, what it should look like, and when it might appear. A wide range of experts from the user, technology development, academic, and analyst communities will offer their views on innovation in a variety of areas, including packet transport. Find out more about the Summit, which will be held in Austin, TX, July 14-16, at the Lightwave Optical Innovation Summit website.