Windstream to qualify II-VI 400G ZR+ transceivers

Created February 14, 2022
News and Business

II‐VI has shipped its 400G ZR+ QSFP-DD-DCO transceivers, claimed to be the world’s first with 0 dBm output power that can plug directly into QSFP-DD transceiver slots on IP routers, to Windstream Wholesale for field qualification.

II-VI and Windstream partnered in October 2021 to fast-track the development of high output power 400G transceiver technology that enables Windstream to deploy greatly simplified network architectures. Windstream can leverage this technology to optically connect routers directly to access, metro, and regional DWDM transport networks without additional intermediary interfaces, eliminating an entire layer of optical equipment, thereby reducing both CAPEX and OPEX.

“We’re excited to begin qualification with Windstream ahead of our original schedule,” said Matthias Berger, vice president, Coherent Technology, II-VI Incorporated. “This 400G transceiver is based on our advanced and proprietary indium phosphide technology, which is uniquely suited to achieve high output power levels of 0 dBm while remaining within the power consumption requirements of QSFP-DD.”

“This 400G transceiver is truly a game-changing technology that will make IP-over-DWDM a reality on Windstream’s ICON network,” said Buddy Bayer, chief network officer at Windstream. “II-VI moved at an accelerated pace to deliver these transceivers, putting us on track to expand 400G wavelength services to large wholesale and hyperscale customers as early as the second half of calendar year 2022. Our ‘fast and flexible’ approach is demonstrated once again through the right strategic partners.”

Windstream’s Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON) provides open and disaggregated networking infrastructure, enabling wholesale and enterprise technology customers to select unique custom routes, maintain operational insights with Windstream’s network intelligence functions, and place their networks closer to the edge to better serve end-users.

For more information, visit www.ii-vi.com

windstream-to-qualify-ii-vi-400g-zr-transceivers

This article was written
by Peter Dykes

Peter Dykes is a independent telecoms and technology journalist who has over that last 30 years written for a wide range of B2B publications and companies. A former BT engineer, he specialises in networks and associated support systems. He is currently Editor of Optical Connections.

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