Datagroup was seeking a solution that offered a cost-effective upgrade path to higher capacity and faster network speeds across the thousands of kilometers of fiber that make up its trans-Ukrainian network. Datagroup offers a range of integrated communications services to individuals and businesses, as well as to education and research networks.
100G transport offers Datagroup a massive increase in bandwidth to serve the needs of its diverse customer base. Before deploying, Datagroup performed extensive testing of the EKINOPS system to assess its performance and compatibility with its installed base of 10G equipment.
The successful deployment involved transmission of 100G signals over an existing DWDM network for a distance of 820 kilometers between Kiev and Kharkov. The existing DWDM network is transporting many 10G waves and the 100G channels were added without affecting the existing traffic. This was achieved without making any changes to the existing network. The initial deployment is on the route Lviv-Kiev-Kharkov, connecting western and eastern parts of the country.
Datagroup tested and selected the flagship EKINOPS 360 platform and its 100G modules, which can be configured as either transponders for transmission at 100G or as muxponders for aggregation of 10G services into 100G. The modules are highly compact, at only 1 RU.
“The EKINOPS equipment worked exactly as we hoped,” said Aleksandr Danchenko, CEO of Datagroup. “The equipment was easy to install and operate, delivering error-free 100G transmission across our existing network.”
“Our solution is ideal both for greenfield deployments and for upgrading existing transport networks,” says Didier Bredy, CEO of Ekinops. “Its small form factor and low power consumption allow operators like Datagroup to scale their investment while upgrading their networks to 100G. Ekinops’ long haul 100G solution is unique as it offers superior optical performance in a 1RU design that can be configured as either a 100G transponder or as a muxponder. We’re having great success with this product that has been shipping for a year now.”
Francois Xavier Ollivier, EKINOPS’ CTO, noted that “Datagroup’s successful deployment is one of many that validate EKINOPS’ technological leadership at 100G. Our T-Chip (Transport on a Chip) technology allows us to deliver industry-unique capabilities at 100G, just as we have at 10G. Our 100G offering is the industry’s only software programmable transponder and muxponder in one and our leading-edge FEC (forward error correction) allows us to deliver superior distance performance.”