In a major technological breakthrough, Nokia and Orange have announced the successful completion of an unprecedented 800Gbps per wavelength transmission over Orange’s acclaimed 6,600km Dunant transatlantic route. This milestone was achieved using Nokia’s PSE-6s super coherent optics integrated into the Nokia 1830 Photonic Services Interconnect – Modular (PSI-M). The groundbreaking trial, conducted under real-world network conditions, underscores Orange’s capability to enhance its existing optical network capacity, facilitating the support of end-to-end 400GE and cutting-edge 800GE services.
The Dunant transatlantic subsea cable, recognized with the 2021 Global Carrier Award for subsea project of the year, is a distinctive “hybrid” connectivity solution, offering both terrestrial and subsea connectivity for wholesale customers. Notably, this design enables traffic to reach four different points of presence in the Paris region, providing enhanced connection options for wholesale customers.
During the trial, Orange and Nokia showcased error-free performance at 800Gbps over a 6,600km link between the cable landing stations at Virginia Beach, U.S.A. and St Hilaire de Riez, France – a significant leap from the 400G achieved in 2021. Additionally, the trial demonstrated 700Gbps over a total link distance of 7,345km from Virginia Beach to Paris, as opposed to the 300G achieved in the previous year.
The field trial not only validates the planned upgrade of Orange’s long-haul network using Nokia’s PSE-6s super coherent optics but also demonstrates the ability to expand the capacity and spectral efficiency of existing subsea cable systems. This expansion comes with a notable reduction in the number of coherent optics required by 33%, coupled with a decrease in total power consumption compared to existing coherent optics.
Jean-Louis Le Roux, Vice President International Networks at Orange, emphasized the trial’s significance in supporting network scale and high-bandwidth services globally. He highlighted Orange’s commitment to constant network upgrades, emphasizing the importance of high spectral efficiency, sustainability, and operational deployment flexibility.
James Watt, Head of the Optical Networks Division at Nokia, expressed satisfaction with the success of Nokia’s PSE-6s in the trial. He underscored the critical role of innovation in optical networks, particularly in the face of escalating global data volumes. The PSE-6 super-coherent optics, according to Watt, significantly enhance Nokia’s optical portfolio, providing extensive network scale and service reach while ensuring sustainable growth with power efficiency.
