Windstream will be deploying Ciena Blue Planet orchestration software to automate the delivery of managed wavelength services across its multi-vendor optical network.
As part of the deal, Windstream will leverage the open orchestration capabilities of Blue Planet to utilize its optical network as a programmable resource and accelerate the delivery of managed 1 GbE, 10 GbE, and 100 GbE wavelength services to its wholesale, enterprise, media and web-scale customers.
Windstream transport services include TDM, SONET, Ethernet and optical Wave transport services at speeds from 1G to 100G, delivered over its 125,000 mile, nationwide core network.
Windstream adopted an agile, DevOps-style approach for automation in its network, involving close collaboration with multiple vendors taking the project from concept to production in about three months
Windstream is leveraging Blue Planet open architecture to integrate with third-party SDN controllers to enable service orchestration across its long-haul and metro network, with the platform providing a simplified view of the multi-vendor optical layer to develop and provision new services, and manipulate existing ones, with greater speed.
Blue Planet software will orchestrate multiple technology domains, giving Windstream a foundation to quickly automate other layers of the physical network as well as virtual resources in the future.
Meanwhile, Windstream will deploy CBNL VectaStar 39GHz licensed PMP radios and utilize Straight Path’s 39GHz spectrum to expand its last-mile customer connectivity options in key markets of Chicago, New York City, Boston, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Little Rock. It has achieved VectaStar network in New York City using the Straight Path 28GHz spectrum.
