NWIX Chooses Cube Optics and Ekinops for ROADM-based Optical Transport Network

Ekinops 360 platform enables NWIX to expand network incrementally

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cube Optics AG, an innovative vendor of passive WDM solutions together with Ekinops, a leading optical transport equipment manufacturer, have been selected by UK operator NWIX as key suppliers for its planned network expansion. The deployments provide additional capacity and reach through Ekinops’ reconfigurable add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) capabilities and support the future growth of NWIX’s high-capacity, national optical network.

“Our optical transport solutions enable telecommunications carriers to seamlessly migrate their legacy networks toward a new generation of converged, flexible, multi-protocol and ‘green’ DWDM networks”

NWIX, which specialises in providing Ethernet and DWDM services, was looking to increase the capacity of its regional and national network and thereby meet the growing demand for its services. The Ekinops 360 platform with ROADM capabilities offered NWIX a cost-effective means to extend the NWIX network and build a comprehensive leading edge network.

“We needed a robust and flexible technology for our core network and for interconnecting with our customers,” noted Nick Whittaker, CTO of NWIX. “Our customers demand a low latency service which necessitates aggressive re-route times. The Cube Optics/Ekinops solution will be used to ensure low latency; it also provides flexibility, due to its ability to start small but migrate to provide up to 80 channels per fibre pair when necessary.”

“The unique competencies of the Cube Optics' network solution portfolio combined with the technologically advanced Ekinops 360 platform consistently provides winning value propositions trusted by telecom carriers, MSOs and ISPs," stated Francis Nedvidek, CEO of Cube Optics.

“Our optical transport solutions enable telecommunications carriers to seamlessly migrate their legacy networks toward a new generation of converged, flexible, multi-protocol and ‘green’ DWDM networks,” explained Rob Adams, VP of Global Marketing for Ekinops.

“The Ekinops platform allows NWIX to invest in its network incrementally when services growth justifies the expense. The incremental approach provides the ideal ‘pay as you grow’ architecture which allows us to provide services to customers at a cost-effective price point from the outset rather than passing through a high investment cost that a ‘big bang’ approach dictates,” added Nick Whittaker CTO, NWIX.

“Among the deployment challenges were NWIX’s needs for high bandwidth, low latency and high availability,” remarked Mr. Whittaker. “The Ekinops 360, which enables optical links of several hundred kilometres without regeneration, was an ideal solution for this architecture. It allowed for minimal upfront cost and lower ongoing cost due to the elimination of the regeneration sites.

“Ekinops’ advanced DynaFEC (Dynamic Forward Error Correction) and DynaMux (Dynamic Multiplexing) technologies also allow for reduced initial cost. DynaFEC, a leading FEC technology, uses software techniques to eliminate errors and extend to longer distances rather than utilizing more expensive electro-optic means to achieve the required distances. DynaMux allows for the multiplexing of any mix of service types over a single wavelength, reducing the required number of wavelengths in converged networks.”

In addition, NWIX was looking for equipment occupying minimal space while consuming as little power as possible in each of its network sites. The Cube Optics Network Solution incorporating the Ekinops 360 platform are amongst the lowest power consuming systems in the industry.

For full press release please visit Ekinops website