CenturyLink has deployed what it calls “40Gigabit Waves” on its existing fiber optic transport network. The move is aimed at providing wholesale customers, particularly wireless operators, with a more economical alternative to using multiple 10 Gb/s connections to handle backhaul traffic. That traffic has been increasing dramatically for many carriers, driven by increased use of mobile data services.
CenturyLink’s move follows similar moves from Qwest, which launched a fiber-based Ethernet backhaul service in September, and Windstream, which in January said it would expand its fiber network to support higher bandwidth Ethernet connections for wholesale customers. The new announcement from CenturyLink also builds on a previous one in September that said the company would deploy Ethernet equipment from Calix to support wireless backhaul.
“As our customers look to expand their networks to meet the increasing demand for video and advanced business services, CenturyLink is ready to deliver high-bandwidth solutions over our cutting edge transport network,” said Steve Harman, vice president of sales for CenturyLink Wholesale Services in the 40G Wave announcement.
We discussed the growing opportunity of wireless backhaul in our recent Telecompetitor Interact webinar, 4G: What Does it Mean to Me? I encourage you to view the archive.
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