Optus picks Nokia to upgrade long-haul network between Sydney, Melbourne

Nokia has announced that Optus will use Nokia’s state-of-the-art IP and optical network solution, including 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS), utilizing Photonic Service Engines (PSE) and turnkey engineering solutions to upgrade the existing long-haul network covering a distance of 1,200 km between Sydney and Melbourne.

The new network will address the growing requirements for more capacity and low-latency connectivity on the Optus network, along with those of wholesale and enterprise customers. It will improve the Optus customer experience with the ability to transport data at rates between 19.2Tb/s and 28.8Tb/s per fiber pair, providing unprecedented data center interconnection (DCI) capacity.

As part of the agreement, the new long-haul network will support the transport of 400GbE services over 400G/600G optical channels. Optus will have the ability to seamlessly upgrade the new long-haul infrastructure solution to support future services, such as 800GbE transport services. The implementation is based on fifth generation PSE (PSE-V) which will support 400G capacity and 600G over some routes, allowing Optus to effectively maximize the capability of its fiber infrastructure.

Nokia 1830 PSS with its flagship chipset PSE-V, enables service providers, like Optus, to add capacity and provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity with optimal footprint and reduced power consumption.

John Castro, Vice President of Wholesale and Satellite at Optus, said: "Building a world-class long-haul network between two major economic hubs, Sydney and Melbourne, reiterates our commitment to provide the best-in-class connectivity to our enterprise and wholesale customers. We are excited by the optionality this affords Optus, in being able to seamlessly upgrade our network to service the future demands for 600G and 800G transport services. Nokia's solution helps address the growing demands for more capacity and allows us to better service our customers and the market more broadly.”

Antonio Ruggiero, Head of Optical Networks at Nokia Oceania, said: "Nokia is proud to support our long-standing partner Optus in the continued evolution of its long-haul network. The new network brings down the cost per bit while making it easier for Optus to upgrade to 800GbE in the future, ensuring its network is ready to meet the ever-growing demand for capacity in the enterprise and wholesale market.”