Verizon has successfully completed a significant trial involving the transmission of 1.6Tbps of data over its live fiber network, working closely with technology partner Ciena. This notable achievement marks a major advancement in Verizon’s strategic efforts to upgrade its fiber infrastructure, supporting increasing data demands and burgeoning AI workloads. The trial was conducted using Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) coherent optical solution over a 118km Boston metro route. This route included 10 hops and nine reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs). The primary goal was to enhance data transfer speeds and coverage, essential for real-time AI processes that necessitate the analysis of vast amounts of data.
Enhancing Data Transfer and Network Transformation
The core objective of the trial was to substantially improve data transfer speeds and network coverage to support AI processes efficiently. AI applications often involve analyzing billions of data points in real-time, requiring robust and high-speed data transmission capabilities. Adam Koeppe, a key figure at Verizon, highlighted the company’s ongoing multi-year network transformation initiative. This initiative includes deploying a cloud-native architecture, utilizing high-performance spectrum, and integrating advanced technologies. Through these efforts, Verizon aims to position itself as the preferred provider for AI workloads both now and in the future.
The successful trial demonstrated not only enhanced data speeds but also significant energy savings. This is crucial for sustaining high-capacity networks efficiently. Ciena’s WL6e technology supports 1.6Tbps single-carrier wavelengths suitable for metro ROADM deployments. By maximizing network coverage for 800G connectivity, Verizon is better equipped to manage the increasing growth in AI traffic and other bandwidth-intensive applications. This ensures Verizon can meet throughput and capacity targets with higher speeds and more robust traffic-handling capabilities.
Open RAN DAS Deployment and Virtualization
In addition to the 1.6Tbps trial, Verizon has also made recent advancements in deploying Open RAN-based Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS). These systems have been successfully deployed at significant locations, including The University of Texas Moody Center and the Austin Convention Center. This deployment marks the first commercial use of an Open RAN DAS system within Verizon’s network, utilizing Samsung’s virtualized Distributed Unit (vDU) along with a Commscope DAS. This move underscores Verizon’s commitment to larger-scale, multi-vendor O-RAN deployments aimed at reducing costs associated with power, space, and cooling by eliminating superfluous radio frequency equipment.
Koeppe emphasized the importance of Verizon’s development, which includes a strategic shift towards cloud-based architecture and widespread virtualization. These steps are essential for achieving O-RAN interoperability success in commercial environments. By doing so, Verizon further solidifies its innovative approach to future-proof its network capabilities. The combination of these technological advancements is expected to support Verizon’s ability to handle increasingly complex and large-scale digital and AI-driven demands efficiently.
Commitment to Network Innovation and Future Prospects
Verizon, in collaboration with Ciena, has successfully completed a major trial involving the transmission of 1.6Tbps of data over its live fiber network. This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone in Verizon’s ongoing efforts to upgrade its fiber infrastructure to meet the growing data demands and support burgeoning AI workloads. The trial was conducted using Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) coherent optical solution over a 118km route in the Boston metro area. This route included 10 hops and nine reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs), demonstrating the advanced capabilities of the technology. The primary aim of this trial was to enhance data transfer speeds and coverage, which are critical for real-time AI processes that require the analysis of large volumes of data. This advancement is a crucial step forward in Verizon’s strategy to support future technological demands and ensure efficient and reliable network performance for its customers.
