XO Communications has become the first service provider in the U.S. to deploy 100 Gbps across its long-haul fiber network on a nationwide basis.
XO is using Nokia Siemens Networks’ hiT7300 DWDM optical transmission platform, which is capable of carrying 96 100G wavelengths simultaneously for a maximum capacity of 9.6 terabits per second per fiber. Coherent technology enables transmission over existing fiber. The system can scale to 400G and beyond. In addition, Nokia Siemens Networks said that by offering DCM-free transmission, its solution enables lower latency (less delay) in data transmission. It supports colorless, directionless ROADM functionality.
XO said the increased capacity gives it the flexibility to more efficiently manage the increasing data traffic across its network from enterprise and wholesale customers’ Internet, video, mobile data and cloud-based enterprise applications. The carrier plans to offer 100 Gbps optical network services to cable companies, mobile wireless service providers, and domestic and international telecommunications companies.
“While other telecommunications companies have deployed or tested 100G optical systems across portions of their networks, XO Communications is the first service provider to deploy 100G technology on an operational basis coast-to-coast across its nationwide fiber network,” said Randy Nicklas, senior vice president and chief technology officer for XO Communications. “By making this leap to 100G, XO Communications is taking a leadership role in utilization of optical networking and offering customers the network infrastructure and services needed in order to deliver today’s cloud computing, mobile wireless and Internet video delivery platforms and services.”
“We are happy to play a key role in enabling XO Communications to reach this important industry milestone,” said Jim Benson, head of Optical Networks for the Americas at Nokia Siemens Networks. “With the use of our high performance 100G coherent technology, XO Communications has built an automated, high capacity, state of the art network that will allow it to provide end customers with very low latency service connections coast-to-coast.”
