Aqua Comms, Ciena trial 150 Gbps via 8QAM on AEConnect undersea cable network

Aqua Comms Ltd. says it has partnered with Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) to test the transmission of 150-Gbps wavelengths using 8QAM modulation on Aqua Comms' America-Europe Connect (AEConnect) undersea cable network. The deployment of such technology would increase capacity of the transatlantic submarine network by 50% while increasing spectral efficiency and reach, the two companies say.

AEConnect links New York with London via Ireland, a distance of more than 5,400 km, with an initial system capacity of 13 Tbps (130 x 100 Gbps; see "America-Europe Connect submarine network construction begins"). Ciena has supplied optical transport equipment for the project (see "AquaComms taps Ciena for AEConnect transatlantic submarine cable system"). The recent test leveraged Ciena's WaveLogic 3 Extreme processor (see "Ciena offers new WaveLogic chips, architecture, switches for 'web-scale world'").

Among other requirements, the submarine cable system is designed to meet the needs of customers who seek transatlantic data center interconnect (DCI). The ability to support 150-Gbps wavelengths via 8QAM would appeal to such customers as their bandwidth needs increase, the two companies believe.

"Aqua Comms' network is designed to meet the specific application and business requirements of content providers, cloud-based networks, data centers, IT companies and the global media," said Greg Varisco, Aqua Comms CEO. "The successful trial and deployment of Ciena's 150-Gbps per wavelength 8QAM technology on AEConnect underscores our commitment to serving our customers' needs, now and into the future."

"With global data creation and transmission skyrocketing, investment in submarine network infrastructure is essential. This trial demonstrates Aqua Comms' ability to quickly and easily adjust its long-haul network capacity to meet the present and future needs of its international data center interconnect and web-scale customers," added Ian Clarke, senior director, submarine systems at Ciena.

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