Using Infinera’s XR optics technology the field trial was carried out over American Tower’s Passive Optical Network (PON) network in Colombia. As such it successfully showed the compatibility of Infinera’s XR optics with existing Gigabit PON (GPON) traffic over a single-fibre PON deployment in a metro regional area.
“As American Tower is evolving its network in preparation of new Edge Data Center and 5G applications, we are always looking for innovative technologies to help us achieve greater value on our existing infrastructure,” said Paul Choiseul, fiber CTO EMEA & Latin America at American Tower.
“The success of the Infinera XR optics solution over our PON network is the culmination of an idea that was born two years ago, when we shared with Infinera our roadmap to test advanced DWDM technologies over ATC’s PON networks. This technology will allow us to provide high capacity, ultra-low latency solutions over our existing PON networks that will satisfy Edge Data Center and 5G requirements.”
The proof of concept shows the transformative value that XR optics can provide in American Tower’s existing network infrastructure. With over 400Gbps of available capacity per leaf, XR optics is designed to enable network operators to simplify their network architectures and significantly reduce capital expenditure and operational expenditure costs while enhancing network scalability.
As a result of these trials, American Tower can leverage XR optics to cost-effectively launch new revenue-generating services as well as 5G.
“The trial with American Tower provides another proof point illustrating how Infinera’s digital subcarrier-powered XR optics can be applied to existing networks and can seamlessly coexist with GPON traffic,” added Dave Welch, chief innovation officer and co-founder at Infinera.
“This represents a radical shift in the way metro networks can be built, promising a dramatic reduction in TCO, setting a new benchmark in scalability and increasing service flexibility and velocity.”
In related news, earlier this month, American Tower launched its new channel program to support its Edge Data Center solution. In addition, EllaLink has completed the marine installation trans-Atlantic subsea cable system and has selected Infinera and its ICE6 technology for the next stage of the project.
