NOKIA: Nokia 200G optical transport solution doubles network capacity for Spark New Zealand

Press Release

• Spark first in New Zealand to offer 200 Gb/s (Gigabits-per-second) on a single wavelength thanks to Nokia's technology
• Higher capacity, lower costs mean Spark can meet rising customer bandwidth demand on existing network without huge fiber optic investments

6 December, 2016

Espoo, Finland - Spark, New Zealand's leading communications service provider, has deployed the country's first 200G per wavelength production fiber link using Nokia's PSS1830 Optical Transport Network (OTN). The Nokia optical solution effectively doubles capacity while reducing cost per bit on the Spark fiber network. As a result, Spark is able to deliver more value and a better experience to its enterprise, retail mobile and broadband customers without the need for major investment in fiber optic cables and other CAPEX/OPEX-related costs.

The deployment of 200G per wavelength is a first for the New Zealand telecommunications industry, and was achieved with the Nokia 1830 Photonic Service Switch (http://networks.nokia.com/portfolio/products/1830-photonic-service-switch). The powerful yet flexible hardware and software allow customers to optimize their networks by balancing capacity and distance for individual wavelengths. Nokia's 200G channel can also co-exist with Spark's 10G and 100G channels, protecting the original network investment.

Spark's new 200Gbps network link connects its core network with the global gateway, and enables the service provider stay ahead of the data demand curve for both residential and enterprise customers. It will help meet continuing strong business and consumer demand for data bandwidth, utilizing existing systems to efficiently boost capacity for current usage and future growth.

200G provides a compelling business case for any operator looking to lower their total cost of ownership while still deploying extra speed and capacity in their existing 1830 PSS networks.

Colin Brown, General Manager of Networks at Spark, said: "Today's digital revolution is driving massive growth in data traffic, with businesses and consumers needing to instantly access and share information anytime, anywhere, doing so quickly, efficiently and securely. Nokia has helped Spark NZ reach a new milestone with our world-class Optical Transport Network, achieving our vision of a data-driven future for New Zealand and underpinning an integrated network including fiber, 3G, 4G, 4.5G, wireless broadband and Wi-Fi."

Ray Owen, head of Oceania at Nokia, said: "Like many operators, Spark has faced relentless growth in bandwidth demand, largely driven by an increase in video streaming by business and consumer users. By taking a flexible approach to this challenge with New Zealand's first 200Gbps fiber link, together with Nokia, Spark is well placed to meet continued demand growth while meeting existing user expectations."

Did you know?

• Nokia is the market leader in 200G port shipments (Dell'Oro).
• Deployments of our 200G solution are growing rapidly as customers see the benefits of the long haul capabilities of 200G 8QAM.
• We have shipped our 200G solution to more than 88 customers.

Resources:

• 1830 Photonic Service Switch portfolio page (http://networks.nokia.com/portfolio/products/1830-photonic-service-switch)
• Video: Nokia PSE-2: The heart of the network for today and the future (https://youtu.be/ZXkspNQwlaM)
• Video: Super coherent technology - optimizing wavelength capacity and reach (https://youtu.be/8n2xFQHNpss)
• Nokia Optical Networking page (http://networks.nokia.com/portfolio/products/optical-networking)
• Photonic Service Engine 2 (PSE-2) page (http://networks.nokia.com/portfolio/products/pse-2)
• White paper: Applications of next gen coherent modulation (https://pages.nokia.com/1531.Ovum-next-gen-coherent-modulation.html)

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About Spark NZ
Spark is New Zealand's largest digital services company delivering mobile, fixed and IT products and services to millions of New Zealand consumers and businesses. Our ambition is to be a winning business, inspired by customers to unleash the potential in all New Zealanders.

Spark New Zealand is a multi-brand business, with principal brands Spark (supporting home, consumer mobile and small business customers) and Spark Digital (supporting government and business customers with strong Cloud services, mobility and ICT capabilities). Specialist and flanking brands include Skinny (consumer mobile), Revera and Appserv (data hosting services), Lightbox (internet TV), Qrious (data analytics), and Bigpipe (consumer broadband). An in-house incubator, Spark Ventures, is developing other new business opportunities.
www.sparknz.co.nz (http://www.sparknz.co.nz)

About Nokia
Nokia is a global leader in creating the technologies at the heart of our connected world. Powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we serve communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing.

From the enabling infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things, to emerging applications in virtual reality and digital health, we are shaping the future of technology to transform the human experience. www.nokia.com (http://www.nokia.com)

Media Enquiries:
Nokia APAC Media Relations
Cordia So
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Communications
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Spark
Sam Durbin
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Source: NOKIA via Globenewswire