BSkyB deploys optical 100-Gbps for services support

UK home entertainment and communications services provider BSkyB – perhaps better known as “Sky” – has upgraded its fiber-optic backbone network with 100-Gbps technology from Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU), according to the systems provider.

The enhancement enables transmission speeds of 100-Gbps over 88 wavelengths per fiber using dual-polarization quadrature phase-shift keying (DP-QPSK) and coherent detection. Alcatel-Lucent says the new capability required a relatively simple in-service network upgrade to Sky’s 1626 Light Manager, enhanced with 100G coherent technology through the 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS).

Mohamed Hammady, director of Sky Network Services, said, “Millions of Sky customers use our broadband network to enjoy video and other high-bandwidth services. Part of the reason we have been the UK’s fastest-growing ISP since our launch in 2006 is that we offer a high-quality, good value, and reliable service that’s genuinely unlimited and is free from any form of traffic management. We can do this because of the investment we make in our state-of-the-art, all-fiber core trunk network. With the introduction of Alcatel-Lucent’s leading-edge technology, we only enhance our ability to define the Sky broadband experience through our high-capacity core network.”

Lucy Dimes, CEO UK & Ireland at Alcatel-Lucent, said, “High-definition video and other broadband services are driving up the volume of data being transported on networks today. This trend is driving us to continuously introduce new innovations into our portfolio, while ensuring that our customers can continue to benefit from the investments they have already made. The introduction of 100G with Sky offers a clear example of the benefits to this approach.”

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