Windstream Wholesale Completes 800G Transatlantic Trial with Colt, Nokia, and VIAVI

Windstream (News - Alert) Wholesale completed the 800 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) transatlantic service trial with Colt Technology Services and Nokia earlier this year. It showcased the potential for ultra-high-speed connectivity over 8,500 kilometers of subsea and terrestrial fiber linking Chicago and London.

The trial used Nokia’s (News - Alert) Photonic Service Interconnect-Modular (PSI-M) platform. It was also supported by VIAVI’s advanced testing solutions, which played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth deployment of the service. For the trial, VIAVI conducted pre-deployment soak testing on Nokia’s 800G optical modules and network equipment using their ONT-800 FLEX XPM test sets to ensure that all components — hardware, software, and infrastructure — integrated smoothly, which minimized post-deployment troubleshooting and validated the service’s stability at demanding 800G speeds.

"We are honored to be part of the world's first 800G optical and IP service trial, spanning terrestrial and transatlantic networks with Windstream," said Tom Fawcett, senior vice president and general manager, Lab and Production at VIAVI. "This technical achievement underscores VIAVI's commitment to our customers, offering cutting-edge testing solutions and expert support to help them reach their objectives."

During the trial, VIAVI generated bi-directional 800G data streams to test the end-to-end transmission between Chicago and London. This thorough evaluation confirmed error-free data delivery and the reliability of the long-term service. Its testing approach accelerated the validation process, which enable Windstream to establish a high-capacity link quickly.

"We are thrilled to have achieved this groundbreaking milestone in the 800G transatlantic service trial, which underscores Windstream Wholesale's commitment to pushing the boundaries of optical networking technology,” said Joe Scattareggia, president of Windstream Wholesale. “Our collaboration with VIAVI Solutions has been instrumental in this success, reflecting our strategic pillar of fostering strong partnerships. VIAVI's expertise and innovative testing solutions have ensured a seamless deployment, allowing us to deliver unprecedented bandwidth capabilities. This trial not only enhances our service offerings but also strengthens our position as a leader in the industry."