Windstream Wholesale Successfully Completes Industry’s First 400G ZR+ Interoperability Trials

Rhea-AI Summary

Windstream Wholesale announces successful interoperability tests of II-VI's QSFP-DD ZR+ pluggable modules with Acacia's technology over a 1,027-kilometer network, establishing 400 Gigabit links. This achievement highlights Windstream's leadership in optical technology and its commitment to open optical networking standards. As the first service provider member of the OpenZR+ MSA, Windstream aims to drive standardization and interoperability in high-performance transceivers. Collaborations with II-VI and Marvell showcase industry advancements towards simplifying high-performance networks.

Positive

• Successful interoperability tests with II-VI modules enhance Windstream's market position.
• Windstream becomes the first service provider member of the OpenZR+ MSA, promoting industry standardization.
• The achievement proves the maturity of the 400G ZR+ ecosystem, facilitating open networking architectures.

Negative

• None.

Demonstrates interoperability of II-VI and Acacia modules using open standards

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Windstream Wholesale, a leading provider of advanced optical solutions, announced today that it has successfully tested the interoperability of QSFP-DD form factor ZR+ pluggable modules from II-VI Incorporated (NASDAQ: II-VI) and Acacia, now part of Cisco. The tests established 400 Gigabit links in a production environment over a 1,027-kilometer link. The team also leveraged the Marvell® Deneb™ Coherent DSP within a native 0 dBm II-VI pluggable and the Acacia module using the Greylock DSP. Industry standard oFEC algorithms were also used in the trials.

“These successful trials demonstrate that Windstream Wholesale remains the optical technology leader in making 400G wavelengths the default deployment for large wholesale and hyperscale customers,” said Buddy Bayer, president of Enterprise and Wholesale at Windstream. “Interoperability is key to simplifying high-performance networks in a cost and energy-efficient manner, and no other service provider has done more than Windstream toward making it a reality in the marketplace. This significant achievement validates Windstream’s strategy of open, disaggregated optical networking.”

Windstream also announced it has become the first service provider member of the OpenZR+ MSA. “We see the OpenZR+ community as well-positioned to make progress around standardization and interoperability in the high-performance transceiver arena,” said Art Nichols, vice president of network architecture and technology at Windstream. “Our goal is not simply to take advantage of our interop and optimization learnings internally, but to also contribute to the industry as a whole in driving open networking forward.”

“We would like to thank Windstream for their industry leadership in driving the technology and hosting the multivendor interoperability trials,” said Matthias Berger, vice president, coherent technology, II-VI Incorporated. “The success of these trials validates the level of maturity of the 400G ZR+ ecosystem which is essential to enable open systems and network architectures such as IP-over-DWDM.”

“As one of the founding members of the OpenZR+ MSA, we are excited to see the industry embracing interoperability and moving towards open networking architectures,” said Tom Williams, senior director of marketing for Acacia, now part of Cisco, and co-chair of the OpenZR+ MSA. “Interoperability and the introduction of new modules, such as our recently announced Bright 400ZR+ QSFP-DD pluggable, will be key to accelerating the adoption of router-based optics in transport networks.”

“We are truly excited to see the first successful validation of multi-vendor DSP interoperability for 400G OpenZR+,” said Samuel Liu, senior director of product marketing, Marvell. “The Marvell Deneb Coherent DSP has enabled a large open ecosystem of suppliers to drive rapid adoption of OpenZR+ in carrier and cloud networks.”

Windstream’s Intelligent Converged Optical Network provides open and disaggregated networking infrastructure, enabling wholesale and enterprise technology customers to select unique custom routes, maintain operational insights with Windstream’s Network Intelligence functions, and place their networks closer to the edge to better serve end-users.

About Windstream

Windstream Holdings is a privately held Fortune® 1000 communications and software company. Windstream Wholesale is an innovative optical technology leader that creates deep partnerships with carriers, content and media providers, and federal government agencies to deliver fast and flexible, customized wave and transport solutions. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamwholesale.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Windstream.

From Fortune. ©2021 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune and Fortune 1000 are registered trademarks of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. Fortune is not affiliated with, and does not endorse products or services of, Windstream.

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Windstream

Scott Morris, 501-748-5342

scott.l.morris@windstream.com

Source: Windstream Holdings

FAQ

What was announced by Windstream regarding II-VI on October 15, 2023?

Windstream announced successful interoperability tests of II-VI's QSFP-DD ZR+ pluggable modules, establishing 400 Gigabit links over a 1,027-kilometer network.

How does the interoperability test impact II-VI and Windstream?

The interoperability tests validate Windstream's optical technology leadership and strengthen II-VI's position in the high-performance networking market.

What is the significance of Windstream joining the OpenZR+ MSA?

Windstream's membership in the OpenZR+ MSA signifies its commitment to advancing standardization and interoperability in the transceiver market.

What technology was used in the interoperability tests of II-VI modules?

The Marvell Deneb Coherent DSP and industry-standard oFEC algorithms were utilized in the interoperability trials.

Why is interoperability important for Windstream and II-VI?

Interoperability simplifies high-performance networks, enhances cost and energy efficiency, and accelerates the adoption of open networking architectures.