Videotron adds Ciena packet-optical transport systems to fiber-optic network

Ciena Corp. (NYSE: CIEN) says it has supplied its 6500 Packet-Optical Platform to Canadian service provider Videotron. The packet-optic transport systems will enable the Quebec-based telecommunications provider to leverage its fiber-optic network to offer such advanced services as 4K TV and colocation.

Videotron has offered Ultra HD set-top boxes since last year and began offering sports programming in 4K this past February. Meanwhile, the company announced plans in September 2015 to build a new data center in Montréal to complement the 4Degrees data center in Québec City it acquired the previous March.

Both initiatives will lead to a significant increase in traffic on Videotron's network. For example, the packet-optical transport systems will support high-speed, low-latency connectivity between the new Montreal data center and the acquired facility in Quebec City and enable new connectivity and business services, including data hosting.

"As a trusted service provider throughout Quebec, we at Videotron foresaw the need to prepare our networks for the changing needs of our customers—both consumer and business," said Pierre Roy Porretta, vice president of engineering, research, and development at Videotron. "Ciena's solutions will support our competitive strategy to provide the latest and most advanced offerings available – whether it's for web-scale capabilities such as data hosting services or live, Ultra HD video."

"Providers of internet and video across the globe are feeling the impacts of the spike in bandwidth demand from end users. Videotron understands the role that a reliable, low-latency 100G network plays in supporting a future of rich media, 4K video, and web-scale services," added Jason Phipps, general manager and vice president, North America, at Ciena.

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