Ciena and KT have successfully completed the construction of South Korea's first nationwide 600G transmission network. This project, led by the South Korean telecommunications company, aims to address the growing data traffic from AI, cloud, and 5G, and prepare for future services like 6G.
Ciena’s Transmission Network
The transmission network has been operational since September 2023 and covers over 1,000 km. It can transmit 600G per wavelength in long-distance segments, connecting major cities from Seoul to Busan, Gwangju, and Jeju Island.
To achieve this, Ciena's 6500 flexible grid Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) photonic layer with WaveLogic 5 Extreme (WL5e) coherent optics, and Manage, Control and Plan (MCP) domain controller were utilized. This transmission route provides a solid foundation to handle the increasing bandwidth demands.
The Regional Managing Director of Ciena North Asia, Henry Kim, stated that Ciena has been a pioneer in coherent optical technology, supplying equipment capable of delivering 100G and 400G services to domestic telecom operators.
Revolutionizing High-Capacity Traffic
One of the key advantages of this transmission network is its cost-effectiveness. By optimizing the utilization of resources, it offers an efficient and economical solution for meeting the ever-increasing data transmission needs. This cost-effectiveness is crucial in ensuring that businesses, individuals, and various industries can access and utilize high-capacity traffic transmission without incurring exorbitant costs.
Furthermore, the introduction of the 600G transmission network is expected to significantly enhance dedicated circuit services. These services are vital for enterprises and organizations that rely on secure and robust data connections for their operations. The increased capacity and efficiency of the network contribute to a more resilient and responsive dedicated circuit infrastructure, meeting the stringent requirements of modern businesses.
Major Project Benefits
The 600G transmission network provides a substantial boost in data transmission capacity. This is particularly crucial in the face of the burgeoning data traffic stemming from emerging technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and the widespread deployment of 5G networks. The increased capacity ensures that South Korea's telecommunications infrastructure can efficiently handle the surges in data flow associated with these transformative technologies.
By laying the groundwork for advanced communication technologies on the horizon, South Korea is positioning itself as a pioneer in adopting and adapting to the evolving landscape of telecommunications. This future-ready architecture enables the country to stay ahead of the curve and maintain its competitive edge in the global technological landscape.
The robust 600G transmission network allows for the diversification of services, accommodating a broad spectrum of applications and user needs. From supporting data-intensive AI algorithms to providing reliable connectivity for 5G services, the network's versatility enables a wide range of digital services to thrive, contributing to the overall socio-economic development of the country.
