Windstream Wholesale intends to transform its core optical network infrastructure using Infinera equipment. The pair intend to introduce new Node-on-a-Blade technology in Windstream’s network.
The move fits in nicely with Windstream’s previously announced Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON) initiative. ICON aims to leverage open standards, allowing Windstream to take advantage of a disaggregated network architecture with multi-vendor open line system scalability and alien wave support, according to Windstream.
The company outlines Node-on-a-Blade technology as “[t]he next evolution of ROADM-based solutions that will provide a more advanced and cost-effective approach to optical networking enabling deployment across a wider variety of network locations.” Other reported advantages include improved optical network operation analytics and control.
“Networks and service offerings need to transform to provide better support for hyperscale customers as initiatives like distributed computing evolve,” said Art Nichols, vice president of architecture and technology at Windstream in a press release.
Windstream Wholesale is a key business unit within Windstream, serving carriers, content and media providers, and federal government agencies with optical network and transport services. Windstream Wholesale has a presence in 840 markets with 16K lit buildings. The core network stretches 170K route miles.
Windstream’s other business units include Windstream Enterprise and Kinetic, which serves residential and small businesses.
