Using Infinera’s ICE6 solution will enable Sparkle to launch new 400 GbE services over its existing infrastructure while boosting its network capacity by up to 54%, as proven in a recent trial on two of Sparkle’s major routes in Italy.
“Infinera’s innovative ICE6 optical networking solution supports the evolution of our network, enabling us to deliver spectral efficiency and high-capacity services to meet customer expectations,” said Enrico Bagnasco, CTO at Sparkle.
The trial in question saw the deployment of Infinera’s ICE6 technology on live links from Catania to Milan and from Rome to Milan, achieving wavelength speeds of 500Gbps across 2,136km and 700Gbps over 858km, respectively.
The tests demonstrated how Infinera’s ICE6 solution can enable Sparkle to significantly increase capacity on live and key routes across Italy. Following the deployment of ICE6 on Nibble, there are plans to deploy 800G channels along other routes on the Sparkle network.
“Infinera looks forward to working with Sparkle to enhance the capabilities of its pan-Mediterranean optical network with ICE6 and enabling Sparkle to offer new high-speed services to its customers,” said Nick Walden, senior vice president of worldwide sales at Infinera.
With Infinera’s ICE6 solution, Sparkle further scales up on its transmission capabilities – up to 30Tbps per link – and offers very high-capacity bandwidth and enhanced service flexibility to meet booming customer demand on the corridors linking Sicily and the whole Mediterranean area with Milan and the main European hubs.
Announced back in 2019, Nibble, is Sparkle's new ultra-long-haul photonic backbone which will digitally connect Sicily with the major points of presence and data centres in Europe. In June of this year, Sparkle announced the expansion of its Nibble network to northern Europe, confirmed during a meeting held at the Sicily Hub in Palermo between Sparkle CEO Elisabetta Romano and Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs Manlio Di Stefano.
