Scaling to 800G in operator metro core, backbone and DCI networks

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Telecoms operators’ transport networks are coming under significant pressure from an increasing volume of traffic, architectural changes within telecoms networks, the widespread adoption and growth of cloud computing and evolving data traffic patterns.

In order to cope with these pressures, operators have already started to upgrade some 100G optical links to 400G within their transport networks, and the largest are already planning 800G upgrades. These plans are being made in the context of limited per-customer revenue growth. Operators must devise an evolution strategy for their transport networks that will enable them to meet cost per bit, power and space efficiency goals, while ensuring improved quality of service and resiliency, as well as supporting the launch of new wholesale and retail services. 

This perspective explores the trends that are putting pressure on operators’ transport networks and on their metro core, backbone and data centre interconnect networks, in particular. We discuss how developments in chipset, router, network management and optical technologies have given operators the opportunity to rethink their transport networks, and to consider IP/optical integration as a means of meeting their 800G transport requirements.