Ciena Helps Openreach Upgrade UK Optical Network
Openreach is deploying Ciena WaveServer devices equipped with WaveLogic 6 (WL6) 1.6Tb/s coherent technology in its Optical Spectrum Extended Access (OSEA) product portfolio. Ciena’s technology will help Openreach’s wholesale customers obtain customized network solutions, serving professional sites such as submarine cable landing stations (CLS), access and backhaul services, as well as connecting core intersection nodes and data centers. Through this deployment supported by Ciena hosting services, Openreach’s ability to provide scalable, high-capacity optical network infrastructure to the UK wholesale market will be further enhanced.
This solution includes carrying 400G and 800G customer services through a dedicated 1.6Tb/s wavelength, and its 2RU chassis can support up to 32 400G services. This greatly expands the high-capacity business scope that Openreach can provide, while launching a nationwide 800G service for the first time, and opening up a clear path to higher speed services for the continuous growth of customer demand.
This new technology provides wholesale customers with more flexible and tailored options when choosing services for businesses that require the transmission of large amounts of data. With Openreach covering a wide range of fiber optic networks in the UK, customers can support:
High capacity connections between data centers
Enterprise Private Cloud Network
Connection between international submarine cable landing station and data center
More resilient connectivity achieved through different fiber optic routes in the UK
Provide additional capacity for the growth of cloud services, online content, and international submarine cable business
Nicolas Lemaitre, Product Director at Openreach, said: ‘The demand for fast and reliable connectivity is growing rapidly. This investment demonstrates how Openreach is strengthening its own network to support wholesale customers across the UK.’. By adopting Ciena’s Waveserver and WL6 technology, we are preparing for the next wave of digital growth, including the growing demand from AI applications and critical national infrastructure. “
This deployment is part of Openreach’s ongoing investment in digital infrastructure in the UK. By increasing its optical network capacity, Openreach is helping wholesale business providers support the continued development of UK cloud services, international submarine cable connections, and data centers.
Ciena also provides professional technical support to assist Openreach in deploying, actively monitoring, and maintaining its OSEA optical network products. This long-term partnership helps ensure the reliability of the network and enables Openreach to launch new businesses faster.