Spark deploys New Zealand’s first 200G fiber link with Nokia OTN

Nokia announced that New Zealand telco Spark has deployed the country’s first 200G-per-wavelength production fiber link using Nokia’s optical transport network (OTN) solution.

Spark’s new 200-Gbps network link connects its core network with the global gateway, and enables the CSP stay ahead of the data demand curve for both residential and enterprise customers. It will help meet continuing strong business and consumer demand for data bandwidth, utilizing existing systems to efficiently boost capacity for current usage and future growth.

Nokia says its optical solution effectively doubles capacity while reducing cost per bit on the fiber network. As a result, Spark is able to deliver more value and a better experience to its enterprise, retail mobile and broadband customers without the need for major investment in fiber optic cables and other capex/opex-related costs.

The deployment of 200G per wavelength was achieved with the Nokia 1830 Photonic Service Switch,  which allows customers to optimize their networks by balancing capacity and distance for individual wavelengths. Nokia’s 200G channel can also co-exist with Spark’s 10G and 100G channels, protecting the original network investment.

“Today’s digital revolution is driving massive growth in data traffic, with businesses and consumers needing to instantly access and share information anytime, anywhere, doing so quickly, efficiently and securely,” said Colin Brown, general manager of networks at Spark. “Nokia has helped Spark NZ reach a new milestone with our world-class optical transport network, achieving our vision of a data-driven future for New Zealand and underpinning an integrated network including fiber, 3G, 4G, 4.5G, wireless broadband and Wi-Fi.”

Ray Owen, head of Oceania at Nokia, said, “Like many operators, Spark has faced relentless growth in bandwidth demand, largely driven by an increase in video streaming by business and consumer users. By taking a flexible approach to this challenge with New Zealand’s first 200-Gbps fiber link, together with Nokia, Spark is well placed to meet continued demand growth while meeting existing user expectations.”