Spark New Zealand said it has completed the first stage of its next generation Optical Transport Network (OTN 2) that has ‘self healing’ capabilities to automatically restore services after things like natural disasters.
It is believed to be the first time these ‘self healing’ capabilities have been deployed in New Zealand. In addition, it will increase data capacity on Spark’s network by up to eight times, and support Spark’s 5G services.
The first piece of the new OTN 2 fibre network was installed between Glenfield and Papakura in Auckland, and is now live and operating at 800 Gigabit per second (Gb/s) (Spark’s previous links operated at 100 or 200 Gb/s).
Spark selected Ciena to supply the hardware, software and services to design and build Spark’s OTN 2. As part of this network build, Spark is deploying a number of Ciena’s solutions including Ciena’s 6500 flexible grid colorless, directionless and contentionless (CDC) photonic line system with advanced control plane capabilities, WaveLogic 5 Extreme coherent optics, and Manage, Control and Plan domain controller with Liquid Spectrum analytics. Combined, these solutions give Spark a more efficient and resilient network that can adapt to customer needs and quickly respond to potential network faults by re-routing traffic as needed based on available network resources.
Campbell Fraser, Technology Tribe Lead, Spark
The ‘self-healing’ technology, which we believe is a first for New Zealand, will minimise the impact of network outages. These are caused by cuts in the fibre cable from earthquakes, floods, landslips, construction works or rodents damaging cables.
Rick Seeto, VP and GM of Asia-Pasific and Japan, Ciena
With Ciena’s WaveLogic 5, advanced network automation and intelligent restoration capabilities, Spark can quickly support 5G and IoT services and trailblaze their way into the next chapter of innovation.
