EFFECT Photonics says it has teamed with VodafoneZiggo, the second largest mobile telecommunications company in the Netherlands, on lab and field trials of the technology developer’s tunable SFP+ optical transceivers. VodafoneZiggo is investigating the potential use of the optical modules for support of 5G connectivity.
VodafoneZiggo first tested the tunable SFP+ modules in the 5G Hub in the High Tech Campus at Eindhoven before embarking on field trials using the service provider’s live network. The field trials saw the modules used in a 10-Gbps, 40-km backhaul DWDM link between Breda and Etten-Leur in the southwest of the Netherlands.
EFFECT Photonics says that use of the optical transceivers could improve network performance, capacity, and efficiency, while lowering power requirements versus alternatives. The tunable SFP+ transceivers feature the company’s NarroWave technology, designed to enable operators to set up, monitor, and control fielded modules from the central office.
“Using EFFECT Photonics’ tunable SFP+ modules in DWDM networks can have an enormous impact in ease of deployment and saving costs,” commented Jan-Willem Winters, technical manager, VodafoneZiggo. “During the setup and installation of the technology, we immediately noticed that the NarroWave automatic tuning feature is a game-changer for upgrading networks in a timely and efficient manner. If we multiply this time saving with the number of lanes per DWDM link and the number of links used in the Netherlands, the technology choice becomes simple.”
“We are delighted to partner with VodafoneZiggo to help bring 5G connectivity to the Netherlands,” said Joost Verberk, director of product management at EFFECT Photonics. “The recent successful testing of EFFECT Photonics’ SoC on a live mobile network further demonstrates the benefits that can be achieved with photonics technology and how easily and cost-effectively network capacity can be upgraded.”
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