Verizon field trials single-wavelength 400 Gigabit Ethernet over packet optical network

Verizon says it has successfully completed a field trial of 400 Gigabit Ethernet transmission a single wavelength between MPLS core routers connected via its packet optical network. The trial concluded last month and involved two Juniper Networks PTX 5000 routers and Ciena 6500 Packet-Optical Platforms.

The trial, conducted over Verizon's production network in the Dallas area, demonstrated interoperability between the Juniper Networks and Ciena systems, Verizon points out. The connections complied with the recently ratified with IEEE Standard 802.3bs-2017 standard (see "Ethernet Alliance salutes approval of IEEE 802.3bs 200 Gigabit Ethernet, 400 Gigabit Ethernet standard").

"We're delivering more content and capacity than ever from our network and we're gearing up to do more," said Lee Hicks, vice president, network planning for Verizon. "The appetite from consumers and businesses alike continues to grow. This 400G trial demonstrates our relentless focus on building networks people want and need. We're building the future now."

Verizon did not reveal how soon that future would arrive in terms of rolling 400 Gigabit Ethernet capabilities in its packet optical network.

The service provider is one of a handful of operators who have conducted recent trials of 400G transmission (see, for example, "AT&T completes 400 Gigabit Ethernet trials using OpenROADM" and "China Telecom Guangzhou, Huawei test 400 Gigabit Ethernet transmission"). "This is an exciting time in our industry as live 400G trials and deployments are ramping up, proving that future networks will adapt to handle the next wave of high-speed applications and services," commented Steve Alexander, Ciena CTO. "This trial leveraged WaveLogic Ai – the latest generation of Ciena's coherent optical technology, which can give Verizon greater competitive advantage and ensure its network will meet growing customer bandwidth demands."

"As network traffic continues to grow at an accelerated rate and 5G proliferates, communications carriers and equipment providers must not only work together but also be agile, quickly leveraging new standards and technologies as they become available to rapidly innovate and expand the capability of core networks, said Sally Bament, vice president, service provider marketing for Juniper Networks. "We're excited to have played a key role in enabling a successful 400-Gbps trial that will pave the way for future high-bandwidth applications and services."

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