Nokia builds next-generation optical backbone for KINX datacentres in Korea

• Nokia's solution will enable a flexible, reliable and scalable optical network infrastructure for KINX
• KINX will use Nokia's high-performance optical network solutions to improve customer experience while reducing operational expense
• The network upgrade will make KINX Korea's first datacentre operator to operate over a service-reliable ROADM network with comprehensive Layer 0 restoration capabilities

Seoul, South Korea – Nokia today announced that Korea Internet Neutral eXchange (KINX), a datacentre & international/domestic transit service provider, will use its optical networking solution to connect KINX’s datacentres in Korea. Nokia's solution will help KINX reduce operational expenditure by automating complex operational tasks that previously required costly manual intervention. It will also enable KINX to enhance the user experience by automatically detecting and restoring network faults as well as adjusting and optimising network changes for greater operational efficiency. 

Nokia's Re-Configurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) solution supports Colorless, Directionless, Contentionless, and FlexGrid (CDC-F) capabilities to enable improved performance and reduced operational costs. The solution will allow KINX to ensure reliable services to its end users without service impact, even in the case of multiple failures.

Nokia's solution will provide KINX with full Layer 0 restoration capability using Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) feature. This provides seamless service continuity to the end customers in case of multiple fibre cuts and/or equipment failures, and allows KINX to reduce network disruptions by enabling automatic re-routing through alternate paths when required. 

The KINX network will be deployed using Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch platforms, and includes use of fifth-generation Photonic Service Engine chipset (PSE-V), which deliver application-optimised performance for metro and regional networks.

Jee-Wook Kim, Chief Executive Officer at KINX, said: "Nokia is a leader in optical technology and its CDC-F ROADM solution will help us improve network economics while ensuring a world-class service experience for our customers. This initiative is in line with our plan to modernise our networks with advanced and reliable technologies by 2024 when we introduce a new core datacentre in KwaCheon. We are confident that Nokia's optical solution will help us maintain our competitive edge in the market." 

Kevin Ahn, Head of Korea at Nokia, said: "The new state-of-the-art datacentre interconnect network will allow KINX to reduce operational expenses by automating the manual tasks of network provisioning and restoration. Nokia's next-generation optical network solution will allow KINX to provide a superior customer experience by quickly restoring network in case of a disruption. We are excited to work with KINX on this initiative to upgrade the legacy datacentre interconnect network for greater efficiency and cost optimisation."