Australian operator Optus has completed a 100Gbps upgrade for its inter-capital fiber network, increasing transport capacity tenfold.
Optus' vast inter-capital fiber network spans between Cairns and Perth via Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide.
Alcatel-Lucent conducted the transport network upgrade, which commenced in late 2014. The vendor provided switching equipment capable of transmitting 100G signals across the long distances required to build a continent-spanning network in Australia.
The upgraded network uses technology that can extend the reach of 100G signals to 3,000km without needing re-generation. The direct distance between Cairns and Perth is over 5,200km.
Optus acting managing director Dennis Wong said the company had decided to move from 10Gbps straight to 100Gpbs per wavelength “as a key technology step to even higher speed services” as demand arises.
“Optus continuously assesses new technologies that will enable us to deliver higher capacity from our fibre assets when the feasible technologies become commercially viable,” he said.
Managing director for Optus Wholesale, Satellite and SMB Rob Parcell added that the company has already started extending the capability to its metropolitan networks.