NEW DELHI: Vodafone Idea (Vi) said it has revamped its national backbone network with US-based telecom equipment maker Ciena, to prepare for fifth-generation or 5G network rollout.
Vi has deployed Ciena’s 6500 packet-optical platform powered by WaveLogic 5G Extreme for high-speed 300G/400G services, upgradable to 800G.
“As consumers, enterprises, and content players look to embrace smarter digital experiences across India, Vi’s new 300G/400G backbone network increases scale and performance in an energy and cost-efficient manner,” Vi said in a joint statement.
“Preparing a future-fit network, through our partnership with Ciena, will enable Vi subscribers to experience world-class highly available, scalable connectivity and realize the benefits of cloud, IoT, and 5G in future,” said Jagbir Singh, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Vodafone Idea Limited.
With this deployment, the third-largest Indian telecom carrier will maximize fiber capacity and network efficiencies to prepare for 5G.
Telecom players Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vi are conducting 5G field trials across various cities in the country using the 5G trial spectrum allotted by the government.
Vi has forged partnerships with technology players, ecosystem players, as well as homegrown startups to develop various 5G use cases relevant for Indian enterprises and consumers.
“Today’s competitive environment requires operators like Vi to operate a higher performing network with maximum agility at a lower cost per bit,” said Ryan Perera, vice President and General Manager, Ciena India. “With the network playing an increasingly important role to support digital applications today, Vi’s transformed network is ready for prime time.”
Vi’s rival Airtel in June 2021 had deployed Ciena’s 600G and 800G technology in metro cities Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata to triple its fiber optic capacity to deliver enhanced 5G subscribers to its subscribers, as well as to support high-growth cloud applications while lowering cost per bit.
The move to give the government around 36% stake through swapping four years of spectrum and AGR interest dues will address the immediate concern on liquidity. However, challenges for Vi are far from over as the company has struggled to retain its existing subscribers and add new ones owing to intense competition from rivals Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
