The initiative delivers up to 400 Gb/s connectivity, aimed at meeting growing demand from data centres and preparing for the transformative impact of AI.
The route tracks along the Appalachian foothills, offering a resilient and diverse fibre pathway that strengthens Exa’s US network footprint. Exa’s network spans 155,000 kilometres of fibre across 37 countries, including six transatlantic cables, and provides on-net circuits to major data centres in North America and Europe.
The project leverages Ciena’s 6500 Reconfigurable Line System (RLS) and WaveLogic 5 Extreme coherent optics, deployed via the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform, providing increased performance, energy efficiency, and space savings.
Ciena’s Navigator Network Control Suite also delivers end-to-end visibility and management, enabling Exa to evolve to future technologies such as WaveLogic 6 on the same photonic infrastructure.
Ciaran Delaney, COO of Exa Infrastructure said: “We are seeing a renewed desire across our US Network for increased ‘highly available’ bandwidth with versatile connectivity and interface options. Our new Ashburn-Atlanta route, leveraging Ciena’s optical RLS technology, allows us to meet these needs while ‘future proofing’ further technology advancements on our network.
“This new route enhances our ‘multi corridor’ Trans-Atlantic ‘digital bridge’ to Europe and beyond, providing unmatched scalability, route diversity, and seamless high-speed connectivity on a global scale.”
Virginie Hollebecque, vice president and leader of EMEA at Ciena added: “Ciena is committed to empowering businesses like EXA Infrastructure to navigate the ever-changing landscape with confidence.
“With a deep understanding of the expanding data centre connectivity market and AI-driven data boom, we worked closely with Exa to deploy a network that’s optimally prepared to handle AI technologies, making it possible for their customers to seize the opportunities that lie ahead.”
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