Windstream Wholesale Enters Game-Changing Partnership with II-VI Incorporated to Streamline 400G Services

Rhea-AI Summary

Windstream Wholesale has partnered with II-VI to co-develop innovative 400G transceivers aimed at transforming the optical network landscape. This collaboration is set to significantly reduce costs, power consumption, and network complexity, making 400G the standard for large clients. The new transceivers will simplify network architectures by allowing direct connections, eliminating extra optical equipment. The technology promises increased density and a streamlined approach, bolstering Windstream's competitive edge in the optical solutions market.

Positive

• Partnership with II-VI enhances development of 400G transceivers.
• New technology reduces costs and simplifies network architecture.
• Expected to increase 400G transceiver density significantly.
• Direct insertion of optics into current routers lowers capex and opex.

Negative

• None.

Revolutionary transceivers will enable a disruption in costs, power consumption and network simplicity

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Windstream Wholesale, a leading provider of advanced optical solutions, announced today that it has partnered with II-VI Incorporated (Nasdaq: IIVI), a global leader in engineered materials and optoelectronic components, to co-develop next-generation transceivers that will streamline deployment of 400 gigabit services while significantly reducing costs, power consumption and network complexity.

“This game-changing partnership is a vital step toward making 400G wavelengths the default deployment service for large wholesale and hyperscale customers,” said Buddy Bayer, chief network officer at Windstream. “II-VI’s high transmit power 0dBm 400G QSFP-DD DCO transceivers will enable Windstream to deploy greatly simplified network architectures, by optically connecting routers directly to access, metro, and regional transport networks without additional intermediary interfaces, eliminating an entire layer of optical equipment. This revolution in IP-over-DWDM network architecture achieves significant savings in upfront costs and ongoing expenses, affording Windstream a highly competitive operational model.”

Windstream Wholesale announced in February 2021 that it had deployed 400 gigabits per second single-wavelength transmission across its long-haul network using compact, low-power, industry-compliant pluggable modules. These modules represent the next major step in network evolution while driving high-capacity optical connections to the network edge to deliver ultra-fast speeds to more end-users than ever before.

Today’s announcement bolsters Windstream Wholesale’s position as a technology leader and pioneer leveraging a multi-layer open architecture that enables a fast and flexible solution along with interoperability through the fundamental design principles of disaggregation, promoting speed, flexibility and interoperability standards.

“Our partnership with Windstream will fast-track the development of a disruptive 400G transmission technology that builds on our award-winning integrated coherent transmitter and receiver optical subassembly, or IC-TROSA, which itself is based on our advanced and proprietary indium phosphide technology along with our industry leading opto-electronic integration platform,” said Matthias Berger, vice president, coherent technology, II-VI Incorporated. “Indium phosphide is the intrinsic enabler of the 400G transceiver’s high 0 dBm output power yet with low enough power consumption to be uniquely suitable for QSFP-DD.”

The new technology will:

• Deliver the world’s first high-performance 0 dBm, 400G QSFP-DD coherent pluggable module—making these transceivers compatible with existing and emerging modern ROADM based photonic layers supporting multi-service, multi-layer architectures;
• Significantly increase 400G transceiver density by drastically reducing the size and power demands of 400G pluggables relative to sled-based and even CFP2-based solutions;
• Reduce capex and opex by allowing for direct insertion of high-performance coherent optics into current 400G enabled routers, based on the smaller form factor; and
• Open up a direct technical path for the further evolution IP-over-DWDM with ROADM-based photonic layers, extending the application space beyond simple point-to-point DCI style networks.

Find out more about this game changing technology on Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m. ET when Art Nichols, Windstream’s vice president of architecture and technology, participates in a webinar panel “Beyond 400ZR-Expanding the Reach of Pluggable Coherent” with industry experts. Register for the webinar.

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 offers managed communications services, including SD-WAN and UCaaS, and high-capacity bandwidth and transport services to businesses across the U.S. The company also provides premium broadband, entertainment and security services through an enhanced fiber network to consumers and small and midsize businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. 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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211019005738/en/

Scott Morris, 501-748-5342

scott.l.morris@windstream.com

Source: Windstream Holdings

FAQ

What is the significance of the partnership between Windstream and II-VI?

The partnership aims to develop advanced 400G transceivers that will lower costs, power usage, and network complexity, making 400G the default service for large clients.

How will the new 400G transceivers impact Windstream's operations?

The new technology will simplify network architectures, reduce operational costs, and enhance the capacity of optical connections in Windstream's network.

What are the expected benefits of the 400G transceivers?

The transceivers are expected to increase density, reduce size and power demands, and allow direct insertion into existing routers, thus lowering capital and operational expenditures.

When will the new technology be discussed publicly?

The technology will be discussed in a webinar on October 19 at 11 a.m. ET.

What is the main goal of the new transceiver technology?

The main goal is to streamline the deployment of 400G services and promote a highly competitive operational model for Windstream.