Colt upgrades with Cisco’s Silicon One, 400G OpenZR+, Segment Routing

Colt Technology Services is transforming its global IQ Packet Network through the deployment of Cisco’s Silicon One hardware alongside 400G OpenZR+ pluggable technology and Segment Routing MPLS software throughout the network. As part of this initiative, Colt is looking to Acacia’s 400G OpenZR+ technology for long-haul inter-metro connections greater than 200 km.

Colt's IQ Network, which launched in 2016, currently connects over 900 data centers across Europe, Asia and North America’s largest business hubs, with over 29,000 on net buildings and growing. 

Cisco’s Silicon One hardware converges IP and optical networking layers for a simpler and more scalable architecture that delivers cost efficiency and reduces space and power usage in data centers and colocations. Segment Routing MPLS offers software capabilities which further simplify the network and provide fine-grained control for guaranteeing stringent SLAs. Combined with pluggable 400G OpenZR+ technology within the IQ Network, Colt will deliver high-bandwidth and software-defined networking that meets connectivity demands of today and the future.

“Colt is committed to ensuring its network is at the forefront of technological innovation, and this latest investment is the next step in our network optimisation strategy, as we continue to leverage next- generation optical and packet technologies”, says Vivek Gaur, Vice President – Network Engineering, for Colt. “Over the last couple of years, Colt and Cisco have built a strategic relationship centered on innovation, and we’re excited to continue to push boundaries for our customers and the industry. We know the requirement for ultra-high bandwidth services is increasing. With Cisco’s technology in specific layers of our network, we’ll have a scalable and efficient packet core network that fulfils the connectivity demands of our customers across the globe.”

“The internet is now an integral part of critical national infrastructure and must be continually reimagined to help transform the way we live. Colt is helping accelerate this as one of the first network providers to leverage the full capability of 400G OpenZR+ coherent pluggable optics in data center interconnect for metro and long-haul applications,” said Adam MacHale, Vice President of EMEAR Service Provider, Cisco. “We look forward to continuing our exciting journey together with Colt and unleashing the full power of Routed Optical Networking technologies.”

 

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Openreach deploys Ciena’s routing, switching and optical

Openreach is deploying Ciena’s routing and switching and WaveLogic Ai-based coherent optical platforms. Openreach is also using Ciena’s Managed Services, which underpin the end-to-end network deployment, service rollout, and ongoing management and technical support. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Openreach is leveraging Ciena’s Routing and Switching family of products (including the 3928, 5160, 5164 and 5171) to deliver OSEA Filter Connect Lite, a hub-and-spoke based solution that provides multiple 10GbE/100GbE links into a low-power, small footprint aggregation point at key network locations. With OSEA Filter Connect Lite, Openreach customers can scale the offering to expand capacity and incorporate future network features to adapt to changing user demands and connectivity needs driven by the increase in home and remote working. Additionally, Openreach’s OSEA 6500 MUX product, which is powered by Ciena’s WaveLogic Ai coherent optical technology, offers high-bandwidth wavelength connectivity that can scale from 100Gbps to a maximum capacity of 400Gbps per card over a single optical wavelength.

Peter Bell, Openreach’s Director of Network Technology, said: “Our customers require agile networks and customizable solutions to meet demand and manage costs. Ciena’s solutions make it possible for us to deliver faster, more agile, resilient services for our customers in a shorter timeframe – and will help us meet increasing bandwidth needs aligned with our recently-announced plans to expand our FTTP footprint to 25 million premises by 2026.”

“Digital transformation was already underway, but years of progress have taken place in months as a result of the recent dramatic rise in remote work and learning. By adding adaptability and scalability to its offerings, Openreach is helping its customers meet the increased demand for improved digital connectivity with high-bandwidth 400G services to carrier and content provider customers across the UK,” said Jamie Jefferies, Vice President and General Manager, International at Ciena.

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Amazon Elastic Container Service Anywhere goes live

Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the general availability of Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS) Anywhere, a new capability for Amazon ECS that enables customers to run and manage container-based applications on-premises using the same APIs, cluster management, workload scheduling, monitoring, and deployment pipelines they use with Amazon ECS in AWS. 

Amazon ECS Anywhere provides a fully managed container orchestration service that allows customers to easily run, scale, and secure Docker container applications on any customer-managed infrastructure in addition to all AWS Regions, AWS Local Zones, and AWS hybrid infrastructure deployments (e.g. AWS Outposts and AWS Wavelength). There are no upfront fees or commitments to use Amazon ECS Anywhere, and customers pay only for the container instances they run. 

A key benefit is consistent tooling and APIs for all container-based applications, and the same Amazon ECS experience for cluster management, workload scheduling, and monitoring in the cloud and in their own data centers and edge environments via a common control plane. With Amazon ECS Anywhere, customers no longer need to run, update, or maintain their own container orchestrators on-premises. 

“Customers have told us that while they need to run containers on their own infrastructure, they don't want the hassle of operating their own cluster management software. They love the simplicity of Amazon ECS, the fact that it just works, and want the same reliability, scalability, and security of Amazon ECS wherever they run their applications,” said Deepak Singh, VP, Compute Services, AWS. “With Amazon ECS Anywhere we are proud to provide our customers exactly what they’ve asked for—a single service and control plane to manage their container deployments across AWS Regions, AWS Outposts, AWS Wavelength, AWS Local Zones, and customer-owned infrastructure, both in their data centers and at edge locations. Nothing else in the industry does that.”

Amazon ECS Anywhere is available today in US East (N. Virginia), US East (Ohio), US West (Oregon), US West (N. California), GovCloud (US-West), GovCloud (US-East), Canada (Central), South America (São Paulo), Europe (Frankfurt), Europe (London), Europe (Paris), Middle East (Bahrain), Europe (Ireland), Europe (Milan), Europe (Stockholm), AWS Africa (Cape Town), Asia Pacific (Sydney), Asia Pacific (Tokyo), Asia Pacific (Singapore), Asia Pacific (Seoul), Asia Pacific (Osaka), Asia Pacific (Mumbai), and Asia Pacific (Hong Kong), with availability in additional regions coming soon.

https://aws.amazon.com/ecs/anywhere

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Mavenir now offers its Converged Packet Core on AWS

Mavenir announced support for deployments and integration of cloud-native telecom network functions with telco infrastructure solutions on Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS).

Mavenir's 5G solutions on AWS include its Converged Packet Core, IMS, Messaging, Orchestration, AI and Telco Analytics and Open RAN products.

“The collaboration with Mavenir and AWS allows us to build out our 5G network and messaging platforms in a true cloud-native manner, harnessing the speed and agility that the AWS cloud brings along with Mavenir’s expertise in deploying and operating cloud-native network functions," said Sidd Chenumolu, Vice President of Technology Development, DISH. “Together, we will enable our customers to take full advantage of the potential of 5G, reimagining wireless connectivity and giving our customers the ability to customize their network experience.”

“Working with AWS enables us to bring new customer-focused 5G use cases and 5G deployments to the market faster and with unique capabilities to realize true 5G potential,” said Bejoy Pankajakshan, Mavenir’s Chief Strategy Officer. “Mavenir’s solutions are designed to support full public cloud as well as hybrid cloud deployments.”

"We’re delighted to collaborate with Mavenir to offer voice and messaging solutions for core network and RAN customers along with AI/ML solutions for orchestration and observability,” said Amir Rao, General Manager Telco Solution Portfolio and Tech Alliances, AWS. “Together, we are providing true cloud native benefits to CSP customers, combining Mavenir’s expertise in the NFV market with the global scale of the AWS infrastructure to meet industry challenges of agility, scaling, slicing, and resiliency.”

Mavenir said this change AWS allows Communications Service Providers (CSPs) to deploy its 4G and 5G products and applications with AWS’s computing infrastructure, state of the art container deployment and management technologies, and big data analytics services. The solution is designed to scale and leverages the same tools and technologies offered by AWS to enterprise applications. 

http://www.mavenir.com

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Anterix teams with Nokia on 900 MHz private LTE for utilities

Anterix, which is the largest holder of licensed spectrum in the 900 MHz band in the United States, reached an agreement with Nokia to accelerate the deployment of 900 MHz private LTE across the U.S. utility sector. 

The companies will work together to combine Anterix's "beach-front" 900 MHz spectrum with Nokia's industrial-grade private LTE/4.9G wireless infrastructure so that utility companies can more easily deploy private LTE solutions that support advanced communications for modernizing their grids. Nokia is also a charter member of the recently announced Anterix Active Ecosystem Program that brings together technology innovators to support Anterix customers deploying and operating private LTE on 900 MHz.  

"Utilities who oversee critical infrastructure systems must insist on maintaining network control if they're going to manage the delivery of services effectively and efficiently," said Anterix Chief Operating Officer Ryan Gerbrandt. "Our low-band, licensed spectrum can provide utilities with the capabilities they need to build their own 900 MHz private LTE networks with Nokia's state-of-the-art infrastructure."

The joint solution will include the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) platform and Nokia Modular Private Wireless (MPW) solution. The Nokia DAC is a compact application platform, comprising cellular network equipment and a cloud-based operation monitoring system offering reliable high-bandwidth, low-latency private wireless connectivity, local edge computing capabilities, and a catalog with applications such as voice and video services. Nokia MPW includes indoor and outdoor solutions that enable utilities to build private 4.9G/LTE networks for small to very large industrial sites and field area networks. Both DAC and MPW can be upgraded to 5G.

https://anterix.com/

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VMware reports sales of $2.99 billion, up 9% yoy

VMware reported revenue for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2022 of $2.99 billion, an increase of 9% from the first quarter of fiscal 2021. GAAP net income was $425 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, compared to $386 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Non-GAAP net income for the first quarter was $744 million, or $1.76 per diluted share, up 16% per diluted share.

Highlights:

• The combination of subscription and SaaS and license revenue was $1.39 billion, an increase of 12% from the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
• Subscription and SaaS revenue for the first quarter was $741 million, an increase of 29% year-over-year.
• RPO for the first quarter totaled $11.0 billion, up 9% year-over-year.
• The VMware Special Committee of independent directors and Dell Technologies have agreed to terms in which VMware will be spun-off from Dell Technologies. The terms include significant simplification to the corporate ownership structure and an $11.5B to $12.0B special cash dividend recommended by the independent Special Committee and declared by the VMware Board to all VMware stockholders immediately prior to the spin-off and subject to the satisfaction of all closing conditions. The two companies have also finalized a commercial agreement that preserves and enhances their strategic partnership to deliver joint customer value.

“We are pleased with our Q1 financial performance as we delivered solutions for customers in strategic areas like multi-cloud, application modernization and digital workspaces, while focusing on providing a broader set of consumption choices with our Subscription and SaaS offerings,” said Zane Rowe, CFO and Interim CEO, VMware. “We are excited to welcome Raghu Raghuram as the next CEO of VMware. This milestone, along with the proposed Dell spin-off, sets the stage for the company’s next innovative chapter.”

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Box cites continued momentum for cloud storage

Box reported revenue for the first quarter of its fiscal year of $202.4 million, an increase of 10% from the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Non-GAAP gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 was $147.9 million, or 73% of revenue. This compares to a non-GAAP gross profit of $134.1 million, or 73% of revenue, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. GAAP net loss per share, basic and diluted, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 was $0.09 on 161.7 million weighted-average shares outstanding. Non-GAAP net income per share, diluted, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 was $0.18. 

"Our vision for the Content Cloud is resonating with our customers. They recognize the strategic importance of securing, automating, integrating, and collaborating on content, and are investing in the full power of Box," said Aaron Levie, co-founder and CEO of Box. "The strategy we've been executing on is yielding positive results as reflected in our strong start to FY22 and we’re poised to build on our leadership and drive our next phase of growth.”

"Q1 was an excellent start to the year, highlighted by strong billings, RPO, and revenue growth, in addition to increased profitability," said Dylan Smith, Box’s co-founder and CFO. “As we build on this momentum and continue to focus on driving profitable growth, we're well positioned to accelerate revenue growth over time and achieve our long-term financial targets.”

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