Southern Cross Achieves a Major Connectivity Milestone
Southern Cross Cable Limited has successfully accomplished a groundbreaking feat in telecommunications by connecting the world's first transpacific 1 Tb/s single-carrier wavelength. This impressive achievement spans across its extensive 13,500km live production network, showcasing the transformative capabilities of Ciena's (NYSE: CIEN) innovative WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) coherent optics. This milestone not only exemplifies the adaptive nature of Southern Cross' network but signifies a new era of digital communication across the Pacific.
Enhancing Network Capabilities with Advanced Technology
The introduction of WL6e technology empowers Southern Cross to significantly upgrade its network infrastructure, making it more scalable and intelligent. This enhancement positions them to deliver high-capacity digital pathways effectively between Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. By integrating this leading-edge technology, Southern Cross aims to improve the reliability and resilience of its connectivity throughout the Oceania region, thereby catering to the increasing demands for bandwidth driven by advancements in AI, content, video, and cloud applications.
Record-Breaking Transmission Speeds
The successful error-free transmission at 1 Tb/s highlighted the unprecedented capabilities of Southern Cross’ network. Between Sydney and Los Angeles, this connection not only broke previous records but also demonstrated exceptional spectral efficiencies. Looking ahead, Southern Cross plans to roll out volume deployments of WL6e in various network segments in early 2025, particularly focusing on its Southern Cross NEXT cable which offers the lowest latency connectivity between Sydney, Auckland, and Los Angeles.
Key Facts About Southern Cross Connectivity
Southern Cross operates three diverse Trans-Pacific submarine cables linking Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, and beyond to the US mainland. Their extensive network comprises approximately 45,000 kilometers of submarine and 4,300 kilometers of terrestrial fiber optic cables, providing an impressive capacity exceeding 100 Tb/s. This robust setup ensures secure, resilient, and reliable connectivity across the Pacific, underpinning the essential digital infrastructure of the region.
Innovative Coherent Technology
With the implementation of Ciena’s WL6e technology, Southern Cross has enabled the very first 1 Tb/s implementation across the Pacific. This advancement means that Southern Cross can offer enhanced end-to-end connectivity solutions, optimizing the use of space and power while supporting future client services such as 400GbE and 800GbE wavelength capabilities.
Commitment to Modernizing Networks
As part of a commitment exceeding 20 years to enhance regional networks, Southern Cross recognizes the importance of modernizing infrastructure to meet the evolving demands of next-generation applications. According to Laurie Miller, President and CEO of Southern Cross, adapting to innovative technologies like Ciena’s WL6e not only strengthens network capacity but also reaffirms Southern Cross’ dedication to providing exceptional digital experiences and services to customers across the region.
About Southern Cross Cable Limited
Southern Cross Cable Limited is dedicated to providing fast, direct, and secure international bandwidth connecting Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Hawaii to the core of the internet in the USA. With a network consisting of three submarine cables, Southern Cross is currently undertaking the Southern Cross Tasman Express project, aiming to enhance data-center connectivity by offering over 240 Tb/s capacity between Sydney and Auckland.
About Ciena
Ciena is a leading networking systems, services, and software company on the NYSE under the ticker CIEN. Ciena aims to equip its clients with solutions that facilitate the advancement of Adaptive Networks, inherently responsive to the ever-changing demands of users. Leveraging best-in-class networking technologies through collaborative relationships, Ciena strives to cultivate the most flexible and agile networks, guaranteeing automation, openness, and scalability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the 1 Tb/s transmission achieved by Southern Cross?
This transmission represents a groundbreaking achievement in transpacific communication, showcasing advanced technology capabilities and setting a new standard in digital connectivity.
How does Ciena's technology enhance Southern Cross' network?
Ciena's technology, specifically the WaveLogic 6 Extreme, enables Southern Cross to improve bandwidth capacity, reliability, and efficiency in their network operations.
What are the future plans for Southern Cross regarding network upgrades?
Southern Cross plans to roll out further implementations of Ciena’s WL6e technology in early 2025 to expand capacity and optimize performance across their networks.
Where does Southern Cross operate its submarine cables?
Southern Cross’ submarine cables connect Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, and various Pacific Islands to the mainland United States, supporting a wide array of digital needs.
How does Southern Cross address increasing data demands?
By continuously upgrading their infrastructure and incorporating cutting-edge technologies, Southern Cross aims to meet the growing demands for higher bandwidth in various applications like AI and cloud services.
