NamPower deploys Apollo, Neptune systems from Ribbon on Namibian IP-optical fiber backbone network
Ribbon Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: RBBN) says it supplied elements of its Apollo and Neptune system portfolios to Namibian energy provider NamPower. The country’s largest power utility is using the IP-optical systems for its “The GridOnline” project, which will enable it to offer network operators capacity on its fiber backbone.
NamPower sought a programmable IP-optical approach for the network, which it implemented last year, The network features Ribbon’s 400G ZR+ and 200G coherent Apollo Optical Transport systems as well as Neptune platforms in an IP-over-DWDM configuration. NamPower also will use Ribbon’s Muse interactive network planning tool.
“This is a significant project, not just for us, but more so for Namibia as a whole, providing expanded access to fast, reliable bandwidth to carriers and wholesale providers,” explained Helgo Müller, NamPower’s head of telecom and control. “Strategically, when it comes to communications infrastructure, NamPower, and therefore Namibia as a country, plays an important role for the entire southern African region, having direct backbone reach across the nation, to submarine optic cables and to neighboring land-locked countries. As such, the responsibilities of and expectations put towards NamPower are of a critical and compelling nature.
“Having worked with Ribbon for almost a decade, we were confident in their ability to deliver the technical solutions and, more importantly, provide the associated service and assistance requirements,” Müller continued. “We were not disappointed. In fact, the Ribbon and NamPower teams were able to deploy the network, including its auxiliary facets, amidst and despite tight pandemic-related restrictions, an impressive accomplishment which we all can be proud of.”
“NamPower is a flagship customer for us on the African continent and we have long considered them a partner for growth,” added Lior Tourgeman, Ribbon’s vice president of sales in Africa. “I am delighted to see that the network we have nurtured over the past decade has now evolved into a multi-terabit network equipped with rich capabilities of DWDM, IP, OTN, and intuitive management. This significant step toward network modernization is helping to usher NamPower into the era of IP-optical networking and establish it as a key player for bandwidth delivery services.”
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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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