City of Cape Town uses advanced connectivity for 400G metro network trial

©Peter Wollinga via 123RF

The trial combined existing ADVA FSP 3000 infrastructure and CloudConnect 400Gbit/s technology to connect the townships of Nyanga and Mitchells Plain. It was one of the first demonstrations to transmit traffic at data rates of 200, 300 and 400Gbit/s over a deployed metro network. The trial is one of the first field demonstrations of DP-8QAM to achieve interim capacity of 300Gbit/s.

A technology landmark

"What we've showcased here with ADVA Optical Networking is a genuine technology landmark. Now that we know we have the power to create a 400Gbit/s backbone the possibilities are immense," said Leon van Wyk, telecommunications manager, City of Cape Town.

"Ultra-fast connectivity will give government departments access to innovative new solutions. It will also make a huge difference for businesses and residents in this area. Successfully connecting the townships of Nyanga and Mitchell's Plain with a 400Gbit/s transmission shows that we can bring high-speed broadband to areas that need it most. We know the power the internet has to expand horizons, raise aspirations and enrich lives. Connecting people and local businesses with each other and with the world will regenerate entire communities."

Backbone networks can be utilized efficiently

The 400Gbit/s trial made use of the City of Cape Town's existing WDM infrastructure, which stretches over more than 100km and covers the whole metropolitan area. The meshed network is built on the ADVA FSP 3000, a modular optical networking platform designed for scalability and bandwidth optimisation.

To achieve the high channel capacity, the demonstrators created a two-wavelength super-channel. Data rates were then switched between 200, 300 and 400Gbit/s to show how capacity can be automatically adjusted according to the network's shifting traffic and transmission quality requirements.

Successfully transmitting a 300Gbit/s channel at just DP-8QAM is a significant milestone. This modulation format can handle lower signal-to-noise ratios for increased reliability, yet optimised fiber utilisation.

"This trial demonstrates that backbone networks can be made to work even more efficiently so that future bandwidth demand can be met without the need for significant investment," commented Günter Landers, sales director Africa, ADVA Optical Networking.