Ciena will build a National Converged Optical Network (NCON) for Windstream, the companies announced today. The Windstream NCON network is expected to be operational in the third quarter.
NCON will connect cities across the carrier’s national network and provide what the companies call critical connectivity between Windstream’s tier 1, 2 and 3 markets and major U.S. data centers, cable landing stations and cross-border gateways.
The goal is use Ciena’s platform to enable efficient scaling and the ability to dynamically adjust for optimal capacity over any path. In addition, the platform will re-route around faults.
Key elements of the project being supplied by Ciena:
- The Waveserver 5 compact modular platform powered by WaveLogic 5 Extreme, an 800G solution that allows 100GbE and 400GbE client connectivity across any distance over programmable 400 to 800 Gbps wavelengths.
- The 6500 Reconfigurable Line System (RLS), a reconfigurable, fully programmable and integrated C&L-band line system.
- The Manage, Control and Plan (MCP) domain controller that offers automation features and operational diagnostics to identify and prevent potential connectivity issues.
- Liquid Spectrum predictive analytics, which provides real-time visibility into network efficiency.
“After extensive review in our quest to innovate and meet growing customer demands, it was clear that Ciena was the best partner to support our nationwide network transformation and ability to adapt to digital disruption,” Windstream Chief Network Officer Buddy Bayer said in a press release about Windstream NCON. “With NCON, Windstream will build an ultra-high capacity, intelligent network that will interoperate with our existing multi-vendor topology.”
Last week, Windstream Wholesale said that it had established “a presence” at Cyxrera’s CH3 data center in Elk Grove, IL and Digital Reality’s center in Richardson TX.
These moves are taking place as Windstream prepares to exit bankruptcy, which is expected by the end of the month. In late July, the company announced a slate of new board members.
