BT, Ciena Light 800 Gigabit Super-Channel

Here’s a roundup of some of this week’s headlines from the network sector:

Ciena and BT light 800G Super-Channel.  Ciena (CIEN) and BT announced a series of pioneering trials over BT’s UK optical core network infrastructure. The successful trials in March 2013 included the transmission of 100, 200, and 400G, as well as an "800G super-channel," the last of which equates to the simultaneous transmission of seven High Definition DVDs in a single second. The trials were performed on a high Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) fibre link between BT’s Adastral Park Research and Development Centre in Ipswich and the iconic BT Tower in Central London. "These high capacity transmission demonstrations illustrate the value of Ciena and BT’s long-standing strategic relationship," said François Locoh-Donou, senior vice president, global products at Ciena. "BT’s future-proof network will enable it to stay ahead of the competition and continue to offer customers cutting-edge services, while minimising its overall cost-base and carbon footprint. With this collaboration agreement, we can further deepen our relationship and work together to build service-enabling and highly-programmable networks, leveraging Ciena’s entire product portfolio to jointly develop ground-breaking services and applications for BT’s customers." Ciena also announced that the Russian carrier RASCOM is deploying its 6500 Packet-Optical Platform  to support the 100G upgrade and network expansion of a route connecting Russia to Western Europe.

Cisco selected by Chinese cable operator Zhejiang Wasu.  Cisco (CSCO) announced that Zhejiang Wasu Cable TV Network Co., Ltd. (Wasu), one of the leading cable operators in China, has successfully deployed a new 100G Internet Protocol and Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (IP+DWDM) backbone network to better support cloud-based video and data services. Wasu's new cloud computing platforms will rely on the Cisco ASR 9000 Aggregation Services Router and coherent DWDM line cards on the Cisco ONS 15454 Multiservice Transport Platform (MSTP). "The broadcasting industry is undergoing tremendous changes and transformations," said Cisco vice president, Hanh Tu. "Taking advantage of our leading network and video technologies, Cisco strives to provide the most comprehensive network and video solutions for China's operators, to help them maximize their business value. We are honored to help Wasu deploy its new network, so that it can provide new video experiences and services for its subscribers."

Level 3 to broadcast Fox UEFA Soccer.  Level 3 Communications (LVLT)  announced it is providing video broadcast services to enable FOX Network to deliver the live feed of the Union of European Football Associations' (UEFA) annual championship soccer final to viewers across the U.S.  Level 3's global fiber network is directly connected to Wembley Stadium, which allows Level 3 to deploy its Vyvx Solutions to provide an end-to-end video broadcast solution to FOX. Level 3 will take the feed from the game in London and deliver it to FOX Network, FOX Soccer Channel and FOX Deportes in Los Angeles for distribution to U.S. viewers. "The quality of a broadcast can help make or break a viewing experience for sports fans, so it's critical that FOX ensures its ability to deliver its content in a seamless, efficient and secure manner," said Mark Taylor, vice president of Media and IP Services at Level 3. "Level 3 is proud to provide FOX Network, FOX Soccer Channel and FOX Deportes, with a comprehensive suite of broadcast services that ensures viewers will be able to enjoy every moment of the UEFA Champions League final." Level 3 also announced it is providing content delivery network (CDN), high-speed IP (HSIP) and colocation services for Metaboli, a leading European distributor of Internet-based video games.