Vodafone New Zealand and network specialist Ciena Corporation have completed a significant network expansion to deliver low-latency “express” capacity between Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

At 1,500km across land and under sea, the expansion of 100Gb/s technology connecting these three centres is believed to be one of the longest 100Gb/s networks globally, and a first in New Zealand.

The network expansion uses Vodafone’s national fibre backbone, giving Kiwis access to low-latency fibre networks that deliver UFB services as a result.

Vodafone’s Head of Networks, Tony Baird, says the expansion will feed Kiwis’ growing hunger for data.

“Data is the fastest growing segment of our business," he says.

"This 100Gb/s network expansion is part of our continued investment in the Vodafone SuperNet to support high speed data for our customers, and deliver a consistently excellent data experience.”

The development builds on Vodafone’s existing Ciena 6500 Packet-Optical Platform architecture to include WaveLogic 3 coherent technology for 100Gb/s capacity across terrestrial and subsea areas.

Baird says Ciena’s WaveLogic 3 technology has allowed Vodafone to optimize its network.

“Ciena’s technology allows us to deliver the performance and reliability our customers need, while allowing us to scale up the systems we need to prepare for future demand.

“Not only are we transporting an unprecedented volume of traffic over long distances, our network is also evolving to deliver an expanded set of fast, reliable and high-capacity services – from data center and the cloud, to mobile backhaul and machine-to-machine connectivity.”

The telco claims the upgrade required no re-engineering or interruption, with Anthony McLachlan, VP and GM, Asia Pacific, Ciena explaining:

“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.

“Vodafone 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.”

Last year, Vodafone connected New Zealand’s first 100Gb/s data network by linking two of its Auckland data centers.