Integra, iFiber Select Ciena for 100G

After a few years of slow uptake, 100G is starting to truly hit its stride across all types of networks around the world.  Yesterday Ciena (NASDAQ:CIEN, news, filings) won two contracts for its coherent technology, one on the West Coast and the Rockies and the other in the MidWest.

Integra, is jumping on the 100G bandwagon with gusto to upgrade both its longhaul and metro fiber networks. They’ll be using Ciena’s 6500 packet-optical series as well as the OneControl unified management system. The western network operator recently rebranded its way to a shorter name by dropping the ‘Telecom’, and has been charting an unwavering path toward a fiber-rich business model. Its wavelength offerings, which they just rolled out out last year, will see a 15% latency reduction.

Meanwhile, in Illinois it is iFiber taking the 100G plunge. iFiber has been busy building a BTOP-financed regional/metro network hooking up communities in northwestern Illinois. They’ll also be using Ciena’s 6500 packet-optical platform and OneControl management system, but also a variety of other gear for aggregation and delivery to customers. From the looks of their map (which I have now added to my metro maps collection), iFiber is mostly done with the fiber and conduit for this buildout – I wonder what the next project will be.

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Categories: Fiber Networks · Telecom Equipment