SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 03, 2018: (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Infinera, provider of Intelligent Transport Networks, announced that Windstream has deployed the Infinera C+L Solution, setting a future-proof foundation for growth of up to twice current fiber capacity.

Windstream provides advanced network communications and technology solutions for consumers, small businesses, enterprise organizations and carrier partners across the U.S. To address its customers’ bandwidth demand continuing to grow exponentially, Windstream anticipates the need to extend wavelength-division multiplexing transport capacity from the extended C-band transmission spectrum to the adjacent L-band, doubling fiber capacity.

Windstream chose the Infinera C+L Solution because it is designed to provide a future-proof foundation for growth, enabling the doubling of capacity with no service impact or operational compromises, and because it delivers the industry-leading performance and economics of Infinera’s Infinite Capacity Engine (ICE) optical engines to the L-band. The Infinera C+L Solution:

• Doubles capacity without a hit: Unlike most competitive products, the Infinera C+L Solution allows Windstream to use the entire capacity of the C-band before starting L-band deployments, while still protecting existing traffic from any service-impacting outages. This enables operators like Windstream to minimize up-front capital investment, increase return on investment and reduce operational complexity and cost.

• Extends ICE’s advantages to the L-band: Infinera’s ICE optical engines, built on Infinera’s unique vertically integrated development and production model, are delivering industry-leading performance in applications from metro data center interconnect to long-haul and subsea networks. ICE also supports Infinera Instant Bandwidth for flexible software defined capacity on demand and superior network economics. The new ICE L-band optical engines will bring all these benefits of vertical integration, leading optical performance and software defined capacity to the L-band.

"Windstream can clearly see a need for L-band to double the fiber capacity in high-growth parts of our network so we can continue to deliver services quickly and efficiently to meet our customers’ bandwidth demands," said Buddy Bayer, Windstream Chief Network Officer. "Infinera’s C+L solution allows us to set a future-proof foundation now and be confident that we can expand capacity smoothly and seamlessly into the L-band when we are ready."

"We are delighted to partner with Windstream on its journey to C+L capacity expansion," said Glenn Laxdal, Infinera Senior Vice President and General Manager, Product Management. "By deploying the Infinera C+L Solution now, Windstream is leading the industry, providing a powerful example of how to prepare for future growth and business success."

The Infinera C+L Solution incorporates C-band and L-band variants of Infinera’s ICE-based transponders and FlexILS line system components, along with end-to-end controls enabling combined C+L operation on a single fiber pair. Foundational elements of the Infinera C+L Solution are generally available today, and the full solution enhancements are targeted to be available by the middle of 2019.