AI, and specifically Generative AI with its ability for predictive analytics, is becoming a critical component of digital transformation and future business growth in almost all industries. Enterprise-grade data networks such as Verizon?s will be instrumental in these processes, and Verizon continues to advance its network components to deliver on the promises of AI. In a recent trial in Boston, Verizon moved 1.6 Tb/s of data in its live fiber network on a single-carrier wavelength using Ciena?s WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) coherent optical solution.

This next generation technology allows data traveling across Verizon?s fiber network to travel farther and faster, leading to a better customer experience. In addition, the upgrade to this new equipment will result in higher reliability and significant energy savings in that portion of the fiber network. The trial took place over a 118 km Boston metro route that consisted of 10 hops and passed through nine reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers.

The trial over this live metro network validated the performance of 1.6 Tb/s using WL6e in a flexible, dense ROADM environment. Ciena?s WL6e is the industry?s first high-bandwidth coherent transceiver using 3nm silicon to drive significant economic benefits for operators, including a 50% reduction in space and power per bit. WL6e provides massive 1.6 Tb/s, single-carrier wavelengths for metro ROADM deployments and maximizes network coverage for 800G connectivity.

In addition to advancing Verizon?s fiber infrastructure to manage greater workloads, this next gen technology offers significant energy savings compared to previous generations. According to Ciena estimates, the power efficiency of WL6e translates to an 86% reduction in emissions per terabit of capacity delivered (kgCO2e/Tb) compared to previously deployed technology.