The roadmap to 5G: Vodafone deploys live 400 gigabit optical system
Vodafone New Zealand has announced it is the first in the world to deploy a live 400 gigabit data transport system.
The new optical system is now carrying live core IP traffic between Vodafone's Auckland data centers.
Vodafone owns, operates and wholesales capacity on more than 10,000 kilometres of core fibre optic cable dedicated to hauling large quantities of consumer and business data up and down the country and to the world.
With this new live deployment, Vodafone can now reach up to 17 terabits of throughput on a single pair of fibres, which is the equivalent to over 700,000 channels of 4K TV streaming at the same time or more than 100 million simultaneous phone calls.
Vodafone technology director Tony Baird says the meteoric rise of online video streaming, gaming and cloud computing has meant Kiwis are using data at rates the company never seen before.
"This investment is about ensuring our transport network is in great shape for today and ready for the future – it is an important step on the roadmap to 5G and for a stack of other exciting innovations across New Zealand's sprawling fibre and high-speed wireless networks.
"It also represents some of the most advanced technology in Vodafone New Zealand's network, capable of carrying 44 x 400 gigabits of capacity across a single fibre pair.
The system has been implemented in partnership with Vodafone's optical partner Ciena, and test equipment specialist, EXFO.
Vodafone's 400 gigabit Ciena WaveLogic Ai system is now carrying live customer traffic across the Auckland metro region with plans underway for further expansions.
Anthony McLachlan, vice president and general manager, Ciena Asia Pacific comments, "Vodafone New Zealand is increasing capacity to support ever-growing consumer data consumption, mobile coverage and internet connections, as well as provide services for wholesale carriers and large enterprise customers.
"This upgrade will also prepare Vodafone New Zealand for emerging data-hungry applications, on top of the ones we already see today including 4K video, HD audio, IOT and even virtual reality.
