Openreach has launched the UK’s first high-bandwidth managed service that allows Communications Providers (CPs) to operate private data connections using ‘virtual dark fibre.
Once connected, customers will be able to significantly scale up capacity by adding channels - each able to support 100Gbps – with a maximum bandwidth of more than 3 Terabits – enough to download the entire human genome in less than a second.
This virtual dark fibre service (labelled Optical Spectrum Access Filter Connect or ‘OSA FC’) gives CPs all the key benefits of dark fibre – like the freedom to control and increase bandwidth usage at no extra cost – without compromising on service and maintenance levels.
It works by enabling CPs to operate their own network electronics on top of a managed connection which Openreach can monitor 24/7 and provide rapid response and repair times over. Whilst a fault on dark fibre could take days to discover and repair, Openreach will guarantee an industry-leading five hour repair time on OSA Filter Connect services.
The new service is an extension of Openreach’s OSA portfolio and is built over a new or existing Optical Spectrum Access service – a dedicated optical fibre link used to move very large amounts of data between two locations.
The Filter Connect feature uses spare capacity on an optical filter – a piece of kit that splits out different wavelengths of light over the fibre – and provides additional channels so that CPs can connect their own equipment to manage and transmit data free of charge on top of the existing Openreach managed service.
Darren Wallington, GM for High Bandwidth and Passive Products, Openreach
We’ve re-engineered our high-bandwidth optical services to give our wholesale customers far greater flexibility at a fantastic price. OSA Filter Connect allows providers to grow their needs affordably, at their own pace and using their choice of innovative equipment.
