Global subsea connectivity service provider Aqua Comms announced on Feb. 6 that it has entered a long-term lease agreement for Trans-Atlantic subsea spectrum with the United States Department of Energy’s Energy Sciences Network (ESnet), the high-performance network built to support scientific research.
The 15-year agreement for 25% of a fiber pair between New York, Dublin, and London is the first Trans-Atlantic spectrum acquisition by the DOE Office of Science-funded ESnet and will provide a dedicated 5 Tbps data pipe to accommodate increases in data traffic from DOE science collaborations and facilities.
Inder Monger, executive director at ESnet, said in a press release, “Scientific research has entered the exascale era, and researchers need to be able to rapidly, seamlessly, and reliably move vast quantities of data from instruments to high-performance computing facilities to their human collaborators all over the world—and back again. ESnet is committed to continuing to build a robust, redundant network ready to serve the Department of Energy’s research ecosystem now and for the long-term future.”
Aqua Comms reports that its network uses Ciena’s GeoMesh Extreme submarine network solution, powered by WaveLogic 5 Extreme coherent optics and Manage, Control, and Plan (MCP) advanced software capabilities, with Ciena also providing SLTE technical support and submarine-specific automation for installation, spectrum activation, and testing.
Aqua Comms CEO Jim Fagan said in the same press release, “Subsea Spectrum offers the scalability and control of dark fiber at a fraction of the cost, allowing customers to plan for their long-term network needs. By working with Aqua Comms, ESNet can be confident in our expertise and leading global subsea engineering services as we continue to demonstrate that we are at the forefront of the technology supporting the needs of our customers with high-bandwidth, efficient network services.”
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