Telstra claims world-first 100Gbps Nortel trial

Telstra has transmitted 100Gbps data on a continuous 2038 kilometre fibre link between Sydney and Adelaide, claiming a world-first in attempting transmission over that distance without the need to refresh or regenerate the data at any point.

The telco also completed a 40Gbps trial over a 3370 kilometre looped-back section of the Sydney to Adelaide route.

The trials took place between the 3rd and 17th July, using dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) technology from Nortel.

Telstra's networks and services group managing director Michael Rocca said the trials "demonstrate that our existing network is capable of transporting even larger amounts of network traffic without incurring the cost of major equipment and infrastructure upgrades."

Nortel said the trial "allowed Telstra to redefine the value of their extensive fibre infrastructure".

Moving to 100Gbps transmission represented a tenfold increase in capacity compared to Telstra's existing 10Gbps networks, the companies said.

Last month Telstra announced a capacity upgrade of its Next IP network between Sydney and Melbourne from 10 to 40Gbps.

The upgrade, using Ericsson technology, would increase the capacity of Telstra's existing DWDM transmission technology and use underlying optical fibre infrastructure without requiring major changes to the network, Telstra said.

It followed an announcement in May 2007 where Telstra claimed to "have successfully completed the world's first live network trial for next-generation 40Gbps optical transmission technology in Australia."