UK's Openreach Deploys 1.6Tbps High-Speed Optical Transmission System

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 7, UK broadband infrastructure operator Openreach launched a new round of high-speed optical transmission network upgrades, deploying 1.6Tbps coherent optical transmission technology provided by US communications equipment vendor Ciena into its extended spectrum access product portfolio. The solution delivers up to 3.2Tbps of scalable transmission capacity over existing UK fiber routes and, for the first time, brings nationwide 800G high-speed transmission services into its wholesale communications products, primarily covering connectivity needs between data centers, submarine cable landing stations, and backbone core interconnection nodes.

The deployment uses Ciena's Waveserver equipment and sixth-generation WaveLogic coherent optical technology, supporting the transport of 400G and 800G customer services over a single 1.6Tbps optical wavelength. The equipment uses a 2RU chassis design, with a single chassis supporting up to 32 400G service interfaces. Openreach is integrating the equipment into its extended spectrum access product portfolio, offering wholesale customers with high-bandwidth demands various capacity configurations and dedicated transmission routes.

The new system will be deployed across the UK's national fiber network, focusing on high-speed interconnection from international submarine cable landing stations to inland data centers, data center-to-data center connectivity, and transmission services from access networks to core aggregation nodes. Different fiber routes can be used to build independent transmission paths, and wholesale operators can select appropriate routes and transmission capacities according to actual business requirements.

The deployment also includes network management services provided by Ciena, covering optical transmission equipment deployment support, proactive monitoring, and maintenance. Openreach is responsible for providing network access and transmission products to wholesale communications customers, while the equipment vendor undertakes technical maintenance and network monitoring support related to its products.

Openreach is implementing a nationwide full-fiber network build plan across the UK. As of this announcement, its network has covered more than 23.5 million homes and business premises, with plans to reach 25 million covered premises by the end of 2026. This optical transmission equipment upgrade utilizes the existing fiber network and is separate from the new fiber access construction projects for homes and businesses.