Information and communication technology groups Vodacom South Africa and Nokia have successfully concluded a field trial that achieved the highest transmission rates across a live optical network in Africa.
The companies aim to transform Vodacom’s nationwide optical network, which allows for the transference of data on different light frequencies in an optical fibre cable, and enable high-speed data connectivity services, improved user experience and reduced operational expenses.
Using Nokia’s Photonic Service Engine 3 (PSE-3) chipset hardware to deliver high-capacity transmission, a recent field trial achieved the highest data transmission rates and performance across the live optical network, demonstrating a significant increase in transmission network capacity for Vodacom South Africa.
The live network trial successfully established a high-capacity 500 Gb/s link between regional data centres in Midrand and a 300 Gb/s link over a long-distance route between Cape Town and Midrand.
“This was achieved without any electrical regeneration on a route that spans more than 1 600 km,” the companies said in a joint statement.
“Nokia’s PSE technology provides greater network capacity while also reducing the cost per bit, significantly improving power savings. We are pleased with the results of our trial that comes from our continued strategic partnership with Vodacom South Africa,” says Nokia Middle East and Africa Internet Protocol and optics VP Roque Lozano.