While Windstream recently announced a sole-source contract to Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) for its new National Converged Optical Network (NCON; see “Windstream taps Ciena for next-generation National Converged Optical Network”), a source at the U.S. service provider left the door open for Infinera (NASDAQ: INFN) to play a role in Windstream’s 800G future as well. Windstream currently uses technology from both companies in its network.
In an email exchange with Lightwave, Windstream Senior Adviser – Corporate Affairs Scott Morris confirmed that Ciena will be the only optical transport technology supplier for the NCON and that the project covers metro, regional, and long-haul routes. That would appear to be bad news for Infinera, whose gear is used in at least some of Windstream’s long-haul routes. But the Ciena award may not spell doom for Infinera after all, Morris indicated.
“Infinera is an incumbent and extensive supplier of technology in the Windstream transport backbone and other portions of the Windstream network,” Morris wrote. “Windstream is continuing capacity upgrades and technology evolution on those networks to leverage the investment and increase efficiency. Infinera ICE6 at 800G and other rates >400G are an exciting capability we have tested for evolving those networks, along with other expansion capabilities in flex-grid ROADM and C+L bands.
“Within the newest announced NCON network architecture, the disaggregated architecture approach targets multi-vendor and alien-wave applications to operate within the Ciena RLS platform,” Morris continued. “Leveraging the Blue Planet software to help plan, design, and operate efficiently, Windstream can leverage leading coherent technologies in the network in support of ICPs and Enterprise service growth. We see the Ciena WaveLogic 5e and forthcoming Infinera ICE6 as leaders in the coherent optical technology and Windstream will look to deploy both into its network.”
As Morris indicated, Windstream ran a test of Infinera’s ICE6, its latest coherent engine, earlier this year that saw 800G pushed 732 km and 700G 1,460 km (see “Windstream, Infinera drive 800G across 730 km live production network”). While Windstream undoubtedly tested Ciena’s 800G capabilities as well via its WaveLogic 5e Extreme coherent engine, the results of those exercises have not been publicized.
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