Infinera, NEC bring 800G transmission to Neutral Networks’ NEXT fiber network

June 28, 2022

The NEXT fiber infrastructure will offer a neutral, diverse, underground, ultra-low latency fiber link between Laredo, TX, and Monterrey, Mexico.

Stephen Hardy

Infinera (NASDAQ: INFN) and NEC Corp. (NEC: TSE: 6701) say they have collaborated on the deployment of the former’s ICE6 800G coherent technology in a new fiber network linking the U.S. and Mexico operated by Neutral Networks. The NEXT fiber infrastructure will offer a neutral, diverse, underground, ultra-low latency fiber link between Laredo, TX, and Monterrey, Mexico.

Neutral Networks offers connectivity services to carriers, data centers, and enterprise customers on its 175-mile fiber network. With the deployment of Infinera’s GX Series Compact Modular Platform with the ICE6 coherent engine, a project aided by NEC’s end-to-end integration services, Neutral Networks will be able to aggregate and transport 10G and 100G Ethernet services onto high-speed wavelengths for its customers.

Neutral Networks, part of Southern Cross Group, one of the largest private equity funds in the region, is a Mexican company that offers turnkey infrastructure services that include leasing of dark fiber, lit fiber, internet, and long-haul connectivity. “Our goal is for Mexico to have a modern, world-class network infrastructure which is why we found Infinera’s innovative ICE6 solution and NEC’s local engineering capabilities a reliable and ideal fit to ensure a seamless implementation at a scale of this kind,” said Noé Garza, CTO at Neutral Networks. “Our NEXT network is revolutionizing the telecoms industry in Mexico, contributing to its growth and providing the most advanced border-crossing network available with Laredo, TX, serving as a key access point to Mexico’s international clients.”

“We are delighted to collaborate with NEC to design and build NEXT, Neutral Networks’ next generation network, which will be a critical foundation for internet traffic between the U.S. and Mexico,” added Nick Walden, senior vice president of worldwide sales at Infinera. “This is one of the most important telecom investment projects in the Northeast part of Mexico in recent history.”

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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.