Omani operator Omantel has launched what is described as the Middle East’s first 400GbE DCI service with networking systems, services and software company Ciena.
Omantel’s launch of the 400GbE DCI service utilises Ciena's Data Centre Interconnect (DCI) solution. DCI technology connects two or more data centres together over short, medium, or long distances using high-speed packet-optical connectivity.
The service is designed to meet the rapidly rising connectivity demands of Omantel’s wholesale, cloud and content provider customers while delivering a superior customer experience through optimized performance.
Omantel’s 400GbE DCI service runs on Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform powered by WaveLogic 5 Extreme coherent optics and is managed by the Manage, Control and Plan (MCP) domain controller. The Ciena solution gives Omantel the ability to deploy 100G and, for the first time, 400GbE DCI connectivity over wavelengths up to 800Gb/s to accommodate increasing network traffic.
Omantel has already partnered with digital infrastructure company Equinix to launch MC1, described as the premier carrier-neutral data centre in MENA. “We are now taking the next step by introducing an innovative new DCI service, the first of its kind in the region,” says Sohail Qadir, Vice President of Wholesale at Omantel.
He adds, “Crucially, we were able to launch the service sustainably — without deploying additional platforms — doubling wavelength transmission capacity from 400G to 800G and improving overall fibre capacity, leveraging our existing footprint.”
The company says its vision is for Oman to be the leading gateway to the region and beyond.
