New Zealand’s first 100 gigabit per second (Gb/s) data network is now live, linking two of Vodafone’s Auckland data centers through Ciena Corporation.

The upgrade, completed by network specialists Ciena, makes the network the fastest currently operating in New Zealand.

With a demand for network capacity growing fast, Vodafone says the improvements required no re-engineering or discontinuation of service due to the operation of Ciena’s 100Gb/s technology running alongside existing 10Gb/s and 40Gb/s channels.

The telecommunications company says the move will improve the efficiencies of their high-speed network, with the potential for new applications and additional capacity as the network evolves and expands.

“Data use on Vodafone’s mobile network has grown by over 125% year on year and on our fixed network we’ve seen a 90% year on year increase,” says Tony Baird, chief network officer Vodafone.

“Now many customers have started using the internet, email and applications like Facebook on their smartphone, and their home network for content like TV and movies, it is rapidly becoming a way of life and this trend shows no sign of slowing.

“Upgrading the network between our two Auckland data centers to the fastest in New Zealand means we can stay ahead of the curve for our customers with the ever increasing use of bandwidth intensive data services.

“Ciena’s technology allows us to deliver the performance and reliability our customers need while allowing us to scale our systems up in the future in an easy and hassle free manner.”

Powered by Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform, the upgrade enables 100Gb/s transport between Vodafone’s data centers in Auckland, allowing improved intra-city fibre utilisation and cheap transmission.

“Service providers across the globe are looking to improve their network efficiency and reliability while also expanding capacity to meet surging demand from a new breed of smartphone and tablet users,” says Anthony McLachlan, Ciena vice president.

“Vodafone New Zealand is an excellent example of a company with the forward vision to deploy network technologies that suit their present-day requirements and also lay the groundwork to support future expansion and network services at speeds that reach 100Gb/s and beyond.”