SLT launches 100G DWDM national backbone network

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the country’s largest broadband provider by subscribers, has launched the ‘first ultra-speed nationwide Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) fibre-optic backbone transmission network in Sri Lanka’. As highlighted by the company’s press release, it has worked with telecoms equipment provider Huawei to implement the national backbone network (NBN) with a ‘new generation OTN-based 100G DWDM solution’. The fibre can transmit eight terabits per second (8Tbps) and is intended to ‘cater to future needs of all ICT operators in the country’. SLT was given the mission of building the NBN in 2013 and within the next five years ‘aspires to deliver high speed access at all times to every business and household in the country’. SLT CEO Lalith De Silva said: ‘SLT has established a fibre-optic network that spans over 20,000km within the country [and] is the only ICT solutions provider with multiple global connectivity options; [it] provides the backbone for other operators to enhance their services to their customers.’ He added: ‘…the company has completed…an industry first…by proving that 100G traffic can be successfully carried over SLT’s national Ethernet network between two 100G network interface devices while maintaining carrier-grade performance.’