Windstream Wholesale receives 400G ZR+ QSFP-DD-DCO optical transceivers from II-VI

Feb. 10, 2022
Windstream revealed last October that it would co-develop such transceivers, with 0 dBm optical output power, with II-VI for use in its ICON Intelligent Converged Optical Network open and disaggregated network.

II‐VI Inc. (NASDAQ: IIVI) says it has delivered 400G ZR+ QSFP-DD-DCO optical transceivers to Windstream Wholesale for field qualification. Windstream revealed last October that it would co-develop such transceivers, with 0 dBm optical output power, with II-VI for use in its ICON Intelligent Converged Optical Network open and disaggregated network (see “Windstream Wholesale to co-develop 0-dBm 400G optical transceivers with II-VI”).

Windstream plans to use the QSFP-DD-DCO optical transceivers to connect routers directly to access, metro, and regional DWDM transport networks, obviating the need for transponder other intermediary interface gear. The service provider expect the move to save on capex and opex.

“This 400G transceiver is truly a game-changing technology that will make IP-over-DWDM a reality on Windstream’s ICON network,” commented Buddy Bayer, chief network officer at Windstream. “II-VI moved at an accelerated pace to deliver these transceivers, putting us on track to expand 400G wavelength services to large wholesale and hyperscale customers as early as the second half of calendar year 2022. Our ‘fast and flexible’ approach is demonstrated once again through the right strategic partners.”

“We’re excited to begin qualification with Windstream ahead of our original schedule,” added Matthias Berger, vice president, coherent technology, at II-VI. “This 400G transceiver is based on our advanced and proprietary indium phosphide technology, which is uniquely suited to achieve high output power levels of 0 dBm while remaining within the power consumption requirements of QSFP-DD.”

II-VI’s 400G ZR+ QSFP-DD-DCO transceiver earned a 4.5 out 5.0 rating in the 2022 Lightwave Innovation Reviews. It leverages II-VI’s IC-TROSA 64-Gbaud coherent optical subassembly and meets OpenROADM transmitter in-band and out-of-band optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) requirements.

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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.

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