Sprint Deploys Ciena 6500 for Network Vision

Sprint is upgrading its optical backbone network with Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform, which converges Ethernet, TDM, and WDM capabilities. Financial terms were not disclosed.



The updated network, powered exclusively by Ciena, will enable Sprint to enhance transport network scalability, cost and performance. It will support core network speeds of 40G and 100G today with the ability to scale to 400G and beyond in the future. Ciena sais the 6500 Packet Optical Platform with its WaveLogic coherent technology provides the ability to add 100G wavelengths, 400G wavelengths and beyond – without the need for a major network redesign. Additionally, the 6500 supports multiple chassis sizes.



Sprint and Ciena are planning a 400G field trial for early 2013.



Ciena has been a strategic supplier to Sprint since 1998. This upgrade builds on Sprint’s existing deployments of Ciena’s CoreStream Agility Optical Transport Systems. Sprint is also using Ciena’s OneControl Unified Management System for centralized network management, and Ciena Specialist Services to help minimize implementation costs and ensure that the network is turned up efficiently and effectively.



"Sprint, like Ciena, has viewed the use of advanced fiber optics as a strategic resource from its early days; however the conversation around end-user benefits has evolved from the sound quality of voice networks to the need for massively scalable data service networks. Today’s service provider needs an unconstrained network to support the exponential data growth, while leveraging existing hardware and fiber investments. Ciena’s coherent optical technology provides Sprint with the resources to bridge this gap, while enabling a seamless path to deliver next-generation data services," stated Philippe Morin, Senior VP of Global Field Operations, Cienahttp://www.ciena.com http://www.sprint.com