du successfully completes 100G transmission trials on ‘live’ optical coherent network

In another exciting telecom first for the region, du is proud to announce that it has successfully completed a 100 Gigabit transmission per wavelength (over long distances) trial with Huawei on its Optical Transport Network (OTN). This is a first on optical coherent networks, the current bandwidth of which is 10/40G per wavelength. du is also the only operator in the Middle East to completed these trials on a live network.
This enhanced bandwidth will ensure more flexibility and efficiency in wavelength utilisation of du’s network, making it future-ready in terms of internet, data content, mobile broadband and LTE. The 100G enhancement will allow services to be transmitted at a higher rate over a longer distance, either within the UAE or to connect them with other countries.
The successfully completed trial is the first 100 Gigabit per second (Gb/s) coherent field trial in the Middle East. It is also the first trial of backhauling 100G per wavelength over a long distance and also over a live network, in which high data rates or service tests can be done over a high bandwidth fibre optic technology. In total, 700km of fibre was tested, split into two routes of 200KM and 500KM.
“We are very proud to be the first operator in the Middle East to successfully complete such a test. There are operators in Europe who have done this test over a live, long distance network, but so far we are the first to do so in the region,” said Hatem Bamatraf, Executive Vice President – Network Development and Operations, du. “By upgrading to 100G per wavelength we will add further value to our network, increasing and optimising the use of our bandwidth to cope with the increase of high capacity rate (to be transported over Terabits) services, such as the internet and du TV, giving our customers a seamless experience no matter which of our services they use.”
“With a number of regional firsts being set within our industry over the last year, it is an incredibly exciting time as UAE consumers begin to realize faster, more enriching telecom services,” commented Mr. Lv Jun, General Manager of Huawei UAE. “This trial’s success will further build on that vision by opening up the pathway to more advanced trials and future network deployments.”
Increased bandwidth will cater to du’s future high rate services, such as long-term evolution (LTE), amplified internet demands, and interconnecting with other international operators.