Adtran and BT Group achieve Europe’s first live network trial with coherent 100ZR
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The trial of Adtran's Coherent 100ZR pluggable transceiver in BT Group's live research network represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of telecommunications infrastructure. The ability to transport 100Gbit/s wavelengths over longer distances without significant infrastructure overhaul is a testament to the rapid technological advancements in optical transport. This development is particularly significant given the increasing consumer and enterprise demand for higher bandwidth and faster internet speeds.
From an industry perspective, the implications are substantial. Operators are under constant pressure to upgrade their networks to handle more data traffic while also being mindful of operational expenditures and energy consumption. The successful trial indicates that network operators can potentially meet growing demands without the prohibitive costs traditionally associated with network upgrades. This could lead to a more competitive landscape where operators can offer higher-speed services more rapidly to their customers.
Moreover, the focus on energy efficiency aligns with the global push towards sustainability. As data centers and network infrastructure are known to be energy-intensive, advancements that reduce power consumption without sacrificing performance are particularly valuable. This could help operators not only in reducing operational costs but also in achieving their sustainability goals, which is increasingly becoming a factor in consumer decision-making.
The successful field trial of a high-speed, energy-efficient transceiver has direct financial implications for BT Group and potentially for other network operators. In the short term, the adoption of such technology can lead to cost savings through reduced power consumption and deferred capital expenditures on network infrastructure. These savings could improve operating margins and potentially be passed on to shareholders or reinvested into the company for further innovation.
In the long term, the ability to scale networks efficiently positions BT Group and other adopters to capitalize on the burgeoning market for high-speed internet services. This could translate into increased market share and revenue growth, particularly in regions where internet penetration is still expanding. It's also worth noting that such technological advancements can serve as a catalyst for further R&D investment in the sector, fostering a cycle of innovation that could benefit the entire telecommunications industry.
Investors should be aware, however, that the adoption of new technologies also carries risks. The initial costs of deployment, potential technical challenges in integrating new systems and the response of competitors all factor into the investment equation. Nonetheless, the successful trial suggests that the benefits may outweigh these risks, particularly for companies like BT Group that are at the forefront of implementing these advancements.
The field trial's emphasis on energy efficiency is particularly relevant from an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) perspective. As investors increasingly factor in ESG criteria into their investment decisions, BT Group's demonstration of commitment to sustainability through technological innovation could enhance its ESG profile. This can attract a certain segment of investors who are looking for companies with strong sustainability practices.
Furthermore, the trial's success suggests that BT Group is proactively addressing the environmental impact of its operations, which could mitigate regulatory risks associated with carbon emissions and energy usage. This proactive approach to sustainability can also serve as a benchmark for other companies in the industry, potentially leading to broader environmental benefits.
From a social standpoint, the potential for increased access to high-speed internet services can have positive implications for social inclusion and economic development, especially in underserved areas. The ability to provide such services more cost-effectively could enable wider sections of the population to access the digital economy, aligning with social sustainability goals.
News summary:
- Metro and edge aggregation networks need to increase speed and energy efficiency
- BT Group completes field trial over a live research fiber network with Adtran’s pluggable 100ZR transceiver
- With high spectral efficiency and low power consumption, the trial showcases new options for sustainability and scale
Adtran’s Coherent 100ZR pluggable transceiver can be used to quickly scale networks without major infrastructure changes. (Photo: Business Wire)
With demand for speed and bandwidth growing, there is a need to increase the transport capacity of access and edge aggregation networks. As such, operators need cost-efficient solutions that can be easily deployed to upgrade certain routes without making major changes to existing infrastructure.
About the size of a memory stick, the Adtran Coherent 100ZR transceiver can be plugged directly into an operator‘s transmission unit. Featuring a purpose-built digital signal processor (DSP) co-developed with Coherent Corp that is optimized for data rates of 100Gbit/s and designed for easy integration with deployed infrastructure, the QSFP28-compatible transceiver facilitates the adoption of 100ZR coherent technology at the network edge.
“Adtran’s plug-and-play solution has enabled us to demonstrate the feasibility of boosting capabilities within existing networks and doing so in a cost-effective and scalable manner,” said Andrew Lord, senior manager of optics research at BT. “As we continue to innovate and push boundaries, technologies like this will be instrumental in achieving our goals for a greener, more efficient telecommunications landscape.”
The trial with BT Group was conducted across a complex network infrastructure, spanning 90km over a third-party optical line system, incorporating four ROADM nodes and six amplifiers. Utilizing a tight 50GHz ROADM channel, the trial achieved enhanced spectral efficiency. Operating at less than 5 watts, the trial also set new benchmarks for energy efficiency.
“Together with BT Group, we’ve showcased a method for transforming network infrastructure with highly efficient, low-power solutions. It’s a strategy that requires significantly less equipment and fewer sites. The demo also proves the advantages of deploying one amplifier in the optical line system rather than multiple amplifiers within each transceiver module. This streamlined approach helps boost network performance, reduces operational spending and shrinks carbon footprint. As well as big potential savings – as much as
About Adtran
ADTRAN Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADTN and FSE: QH9) is the parent company of Adtran, Inc., a leading global provider of open, disaggregated networking and communications solutions that enable voice, data, video and internet communications across any network infrastructure. From the cloud edge to the subscriber edge, Adtran empowers communications service providers around the world to manage and scale services that connect people, places and things. Adtran solutions are used by service providers, private enterprises, government organizations and millions of individual users worldwide. ADTRAN Holdings, Inc. is also the largest shareholder of Adtran Networks SE, formerly ADVA Optical Networking SE. Find more at Adtran, LinkedIn and X.
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About BT Group
BT Group is the UK’s leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications and related secure digital products, solutions and services. We also provide managed telecommunications, security and network & IT infrastructure services to customers across 180 countries.
BT Group consists of three customer-facing units: Consumer serves individuals and families in the
British Telecommunications plc is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
For more information, visit www.bt.com/about.
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FAQ
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