As part of the ongoing evolution of our network, Comcast demonstrated that we could connect a 1 Terabit per second link over nearly 1000Km, using our existing Ciena 6500 platform and long-haul fiber. This fiber path and optical infrastructure also carries live traffic. Just as we’ve demonstrated with 10G, 40G, 100G and future upgrades, this technology allows us to stay ahead of consumer demand for entertainment and services that require more capacity.
What does this technology first mean to Comcast and our customers?
We continue to push R&D around network technology, as our scale requirements are massive. In 2005, we deployed the first 40G backbone, and in 2008, we were first to run 100G optics in production with Nortel (now Ciena), followed by the first 100G router port with Cisco. Each time we trialed the newest technology, we were already ready to deploy it. The same holds true now with 1 Tbps technology.
Importantly, 1 Tbps technology doesn’t require major investments in new fiber infrastructure. The results of this trial proved that we can achieve 1 Tbps over our existing infrastructure. As customers use more and more devices and their home broadband and mobile connections get faster, Comcast’s network is ready to meet the ever-changing demands for new entertainment and services.