Sprint paves 100G, 400G optical network core path with Ciena

Having already built an all IP-based core network, the move is part of the service provider's broader Network Vision that's designed to simultaneously support the growing demands of its wireless and wireline-based data customers.

By adding Ciena's optical coherent technology to the mix, Sprint will be able scale its core network initially to 40G and 100G, and later 400G and beyond, as network demands dictate. 

Iyad Tarazi, VP of Network Development & Engineering, Sprint, said that with Ciena's coherent optical technology, "we are able to expand our network to address growing demand for high-speed data services today, with a built-in path to deliver higher-speed data services in the future."

Already working with Sprint since 1998, a key point of this new network initiative is the ability to scale network capacity without having to do a major network overhaul. In this particular case, Sprint can build on its existing deployments of Ciena's CoreStream Agility Optical Transport Systems.

Next year, Sprint and Ciena plan to conduct a 400G field trial. During this trial, Sprint will be able to examine the feasibility of using 400 G channels on systems that are used for live customer traffic and that the network can support large traffic amounts on its existing fiber plant.