NEC to release TIP Phoenix disaggregated 400G transponder in 2022

Nov. 18, 2021

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NEC Corp. (TSE: 6701) says it has joined the Telecom Infra Project's (TIP) Phoenix initiative, which is developing a 400G transponder for open and disaggregated DWDM networks. The company says it plans to release such a transponder next year alongside its ecosystem partners.

Part of TIP's Open Optical and Packet Transport (OOPT) Project Group, the Phoenix initiative is developing a transponder architecture that will promote the use of disaggregated, open hardware and software. NEC says it will act as a system integrator; its experience in supporting commercial Open RAN with ecosystem partners and in optical transport systems should give operators confidence that Phoenix transponders will deliver as advertised, the company believes.

"I believe NEC can provide flexible and optimal solutions that support the delivery of a variety of services provided by operators. Through the development of optical transmission systems that conform to open interfaces, we will keep working to enhance and expand optical networks worldwide," said Atsuo Kawamura, executive vice president of the Network Service Business Unit at NEC.

"Today's network operators need improved speed and agility to provide better connectivity for communities worldwide," commented David Hutton, TIP's chief engineer. "NEC participating in TIP's OOPT Project Group is welcome support for critical interoperability to prove that Phoenix use cases can be achieved with open disaggregated optical network architectures. We are excited to see NEC products compliant with TIP's Phoenix requirements as well as their capabilities as a system integrator."

Other systems houses who have backed TIP’s Phoenix effort include Cisco and Fujitsu (see “Cisco backs Telecom Infra Project’s Phoenix 400G transponder effort” and “Fujitsu contributes to TIP OOPT Phoenix 400G disaggregated transponder effort”).

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

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