Colt and Ciena have come together to raise industry standards by forming a partnership, which services high bandwidth demands of the future, and facilitates pioneering levels of network-to-network interoperability.
Formally established in 2016, the partnership has seen the deployment of Ciena’s optical technology across Colt’s IQ Network over the course of 2017. First applied throughout Europe and Asia, Ciena’s technology, combined with Colt’s network capability, paves the way for a high capacity, programmable network, servicing key markets. Colt’s recent network upgrade in North America also extends this potential into thirteen major telecoms and cloud hub cities in the US and Canada.
Currently, Ciena’s 6500 platform provides Colt with the ability to deliver up to 100Gbps Wave Services to its customers. It also lays the groundwork for the provision of 200Gbps, 400Gbps and flexible Optical services – enabling the Colt IQ Network to cope with the inevitable future demand for higher bandwidth capacity.
Such is the strategic importance and strength of the partnership that Colt was recently recognised as Ciena’s Global Partner of the Year at its annual sales kick-off event in Orlando. The two organisations have also won an MEF Proof of Concept Award along with technology partners AT&T, Orange, Amdocs, Fujitsu. This partnership breaks new ground in the telecoms space – underlining the feasibility of interoperability between network operators unwilling to be constrained by their own physical footprint.
Colt and Ciena’s mutual commitment to the provision of customer controlled high bandwidth solutions now and into the future, alongside their forward thinking approach to interoperability, marks the partnership out within the industry.
Andre Quicheron is the Global Director for Business Development and Partner Ecosystem at Colt Technology Services.