Omantel brings 800G fiber networks to Middle East via Ciena

Oct. 25, 2021

The service provider will use the upgrade to better enable connectivity to data centers, submarine cable landing stations, and telecom exchanges across the Sultanate.

Stephen Hardy

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Oman Telecommunications Co. (Omantel) has deployed 800G technology in the form of Ciena’s (NYSE: CIEN) WaveLogic 5 Extreme coherent transmission engine. The service provider will use the upgrade to better enable connectivity to data centers, submarine cable landing stations, and telecom exchanges across the Sultanate. The deployment is the first use of 800-Gbps transmission technology in the Middle East/North Africa region, according to Ciena.

The 800G roll out sees the Omantel leverage Ciena’s 6500 reconfigurable line system as the vehicle for the WaveLogic 5 Extreme capabilities. Omantel also is employing Ciena’s Manage, Control and Plan (MCP) domain controller.

“Amidst the fast digital transformation in Oman, in line with the Sultanate’s Vision 2040 goals, we are witnessing a surge in bandwidth demand. Ciena’s 800G technology will help pave the way for enhanced high-speed network capabilities for our clients across the Sultanate on various domains like 5G, wholesale, cloud, ICT, and IoT services,” commented Samy Al Ghassany, chief operating officer at Omantel. “As Omantel prepares its network to handle the next generation of connectivity, we actively collaborate with partners, like Ciena, to jointly architect a scalable and programmable network foundation so we can set the scene for a more digitally connected society.”

“As Omantel navigates its journey to implement 5G and other advanced technologies, there is a need for a network that can quickly adapt to fluctuating bandwidth demands. Ciena’s 800G technology not only helps Omantel prepare for the explosion of data that will come from 5G, but also drives greater network economics, reach and power efficiency,” added Jamie Jefferies, vice president and general manager, international at Ciena.

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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.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.