AT&T, Ciena test ultra-fast 1.6 Tb/s fibre link to handle surging data demand

AT&T, Ciena test ultra-fast 1.6 Tb/s fibre link to handle surging data demand

AI-generated abstract image of a dynamic stream of illuminated fiber optics cables in bright orange and blue, symbolizing high-speed data transmission and connectivity.

AT&T is working with Ciena to test ways to improve its network speeds, completing a 1.6 terabit-per-second single-carrier wavelength across 296 kilometres.

The trials saw AT&T and Ciena transmit the wavelength alongside existing live customer traffic across a 296km fibre route from Newark to Philadelphia.

The companies used open-source white box switches and Ciena’s advanced WaveLogic 6 Extreme technology, combining two separate 800-gigabit signals into one 1.6 Tb/s connection.

The test showcased the potential to send far larger amounts of traffic at superfast speeds, a necessity AT&T suggests amid the influx of AI, cloud, and streaming traffic.

Subscribe today for free

Mike Satterlee, VP for network infrastructure and services at AT&T, said: “Traffic on AT&T’s network continues to increase as consumers are using more connected devices.

“We anticipate network traffic growth to double by 2028, and the technologies demonstrated in this trial will play a key role in AT&T’s continued efforts to keep up with increasing customer demand to send data, watch videos, and use streaming services.”

The results saw AT&T transmit a hefty single-carrier wavelength across an entire fibre length between two points while using up considerably less power.

The tests saw AT&T’s offices in Newark and Philadelphia equipped with 800G DR8 pluggable transceivers from Coherent, installed into white box routers and Ciena’s WL6e transponder, creating a seamless high-speed link between the two locations.

Keysight’s AresOne-M 800GE test system provided the 800 GbE client signals, which were fed into the white boxes through additional 800G optics, verifying end-to-end performance over the entire route.

Ciena’s WL6e technology significantly reduced power and space needs, cutting consumption per transmitted bit by 50% compared to current-generation 800G transponders.

The results saw AT&T transmit a hefty single-carrier wavelength between the two cities, delivering ultra-fast speeds while using substantially less power.

“This groundbreaking achievement with AT&T adds to a growing list of Ciena industry-firsts that push the boundaries of optical network speed and capacity,” said Dino DiPerna, SVP of global research and development at Ciena.

“Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 coherent optics will support AT&T’s next gen converged optical network and efforts to build a cloud-based and AI-ready network with greater scale, flexibility and efficiency.”

RELATED STORIES

Jamie Jefferies of Ciena discusses hyperscalers, photonics, and AI-driven networks

e& first to deploy Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 in Middle East & Africa

AT&T expands fibre network, targets strong financial growth

Gift this article