Telstra International outlined its ambitious vision to transform its international network into a highly autonomous, AI-driven system to meet growing demands for bandwidth and enhanced resilience. The upgraded network will deliver over 800 Tbps of lit capacity, leveraging cutting-edge optical technology from Infinera and Ciena. This investment aims to support increasing traffic across global routes, including intra-Asia, Transpacific, and Asia to Australia, fueled by the rise of cloud services and AI applications. Telstra’s roadmap focuses on providing customers with a zero-touch, secure, and resilient experience, positioning the company at the forefront of modern telecommunications.
Telstra is incorporating Infinera’s GX platform to “cloudify” its infrastructure layer, separating software and hardware for scalable and flexible subsea and backhaul capacity. The company has also partnered with Ciena’s Blue Planet division to simplify network architecture, replace legacy platforms, and implement AI, machine learning (ML), and cognitive computing for self-configuring and self-monitoring network capabilities. As part of its vision, Telstra is developing a digital twin of its network infrastructure to enable real-time monitoring and optimization, supporting proactive management and continuous improvement. Telstra expects traffic to grow threefold by 2030, necessitating this comprehensive transformation.
“We expect to see traffic grow at a much faster rate, at least three times by 2030, driven by AI,” said Roary Stasko, CEO of Telstra International. “Our vision represents a fundamental shift in how we manage and operate our international network. By focusing on intent-driven outcomes, we are paving the way for a more resilient, efficient, and customer-centric network.”
• Increased Capacity: Network upgrades deliver 800 Tbps of lit capacity, supporting cloud and AI-driven applications.
• AI Integration: Autonomous capabilities will leverage AI, ML, and cognitive computing for self-configuring and self-healing operations.
• Digital Twin Technology: Real-time virtual replicas of physical network infrastructure enable enhanced monitoring, simulation, and optimization.
• Simplified Architecture: Implementation of Ciena’s Blue Planet inventory management removes legacy platforms and introduces advanced automation.
• Resilience and Defense: AI and ML will enable dynamic capacity adjustments and strengthen network defenses against potential vulnerabilities.
