Spain’s leading telecom operator MasOrange has successfully completed the first 1.2Tbps data transfer over a longer distance commercial optical transmission network, using a single wavelength or channel over terrestrial cable.
The transmission network is the fundamental infrastructure that enables data communication between different points of a telecommunications network. These are the digital highways that connect network nodes between different cities allowing information to flow quickly and efficiently. It is the pillar on which all other layers of the network are built and operate.
This milestone, developed between Granada and Cordoba, has shown that it is possible, thanks to a solution developed by Huawei, to reach more than 310 km with 1.2 Tbps transmission over a single wavelength, without regenerating the signal.
For example, in video transmission, the transmission capability of the new technology will support up to 400,000 simultaneous high-definition (HD) channels, or 80,000 simultaneous 4K ultra-high-definition (UHD) video, tripling current commercial capabilities.
MasOrange thus sets a world record in the field of optical telecommunications. Although 1.2 Tbps tests are already available, they use two wavelengths and do not reach distances greater than 200 km. With this demonstration, MasOrange once again positions itself as a leader in technological innovation towards F5.5G era.
This achievement represents a major step forward in the evolution of telecommunications infrastructure, responding to the growing demand for data and connectivity in the 5G era and preparing for future evolution. MasOrange expects data usage to triple in the next five years, mainly due to the spread of 5G networks, the adoption of artificial intelligence, and the new digital services that the combination of the two will enable.
Miguel Santos, Chief Technology Officer of MasOrange said: “At MasOrange we innovate every day to provide the best service to our customers, including through what will be the networks of the future. Broadcasting over a single wavelength at 1.2Tbps is in line with our commitment to providing the best connectivity from a world-first experience.”
Victor Zhou, President of Huawei’s Optical Transmission Domain, pointed out: “We are pleased to cooperate with MasOrange to verify the optimal performance of the 1.2 Tbps solution. Huawei will continue to provide global operators with superior solutions with high quality, reliability and sustainable evolution.”