INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Mobile Technology
Nokia and Windstream enable
next-generation IP network with
400G-capable architecture
The full core enhancement encompasses
Windstream’s nationwide network, which
Nokia and Windstream expect to complete
by late 2021. Nokia and Windstream have
implemented the first four network sites,
located in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta and
most recently in Ashburn, Va. The fifth is
scheduled for New York City and is expected
to be completed by the end of this year.
While the project is only one-third complete,
Nokia's SR-7s routers have already proven
their ability to meet Windstream's core
network requirements in the three live
sites. Windstream experienced a surge in
network traffic during the early days of
the COVID-19 pandemic, with some areas
experiencing a 30% increase. With Nokia's
scalable routers in place, Windstream's core
network performed without interruption to
its customers.
Nokia and Windstream, a leading
provider of advanced network
communications and technology
solutions in the US, have announced
they have completed the initial sites for a
nationwide core IP network enhancement.
Windstream selected Nokia's 7750 service
router (SR) platform to significantly expand
capacity across its core routing network as it
prepares for next-generation broadband and
5G services.
Windstream is replacing its legacy core
router platform with Nokia's 7750 SR-7s,
an IP router platform offering high-port
densities at both 10G and 100G interfaces,
with software-defined network capabilities
to enable quick and easy transitioning to
400G as capacity needs arise.
Nokia's advanced routers will enable
Windstream to support 5G interconnectivity
and a tremendous growth in backbone traffic
driven by an increase in mobility applications,
video streaming, gaming and other highcapacity
demands like remote working.
Nokia's 7750 SR-7s routers are
powered by highly programmable FP4
network processors designed to enable
deterministic packet forwarding for
consistent performance at full scale. The
7750 SR-7s is a modular system and line
card architecture with economic licensing
and universal optical connectors to
provide Windstream scalable system
capacity and increased flexibility to
optimize any network location for
superior performance and a
best-in-class subscriber experience.
Buddy Bayer, Chief Network Officer at
Windstream, said: “Windstream is thrilled to
work with Nokia for this next-phase national
IP core build-out. We continue to see
tremendous growth in network traffic and
the need to deliver more throughput and
higher capacity to our customers is critical.
Building out this backbone with Nokia's
400G-capable routers will allow us to stay
ahead of our customers’ network needs.”
Ricky Corker, President of Customer
Operations, Americas at Nokia, said: “Nokia
is excited to enhance our longstanding
relationship with Windstream and really
put the power of our FP4 chipsets to
work. Taking a lead in 400G technologies
is paramount to Nokia’s focus, and
giving higher levels of connectivity to
Windstream’s wholesale customers,
especially when so urgently needed
throughout COVID-19, is a source of pride
for us at Nokia.” •
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