Verizon Communications and Verizon Wireless recently announced the
results of field trials of optical fiber and Long-Term Evolution
networks, respectively.
Verizon Communications reported that its optical fiber transmission
trial reached 100 gigabits per second. The trial was conducted with
partners Juniper Networks, NEC Corporation of America, and Finisar.
The test utilized standards-based optics end-to-end along with 100G
native router interfaces.
The announcement came as Cisco was preparing a major announcement
for Tuesday, believed to be its entry in the 100G race. Google has
already said it plans to test 100G networks in selected
regions.
Verizon Wireless also said that its field trials of its test
networks in Boston and Seattle indicate its LTE wireless network is
capable of "peak download speeds of 40 to 50 Mbps and peak upload
speeds of 20 to 25 Mbps." Real-world numbers are lower, however.
Verizon Wireless is 55 percent owned by Verizon Communications. The
remaining 45 percent is owned by Vodafone group.
Networking companies are lining up at the starting gate as the
Federal Communications Commission prepares to submit its
long-awaited National Broadband Report to Congress next week. The
FCC has also said it is preparing its own plan for a 100G broadband
network.
In announcing its successful 100G test, Verizon noted that it has
already built a 100G deployment on a portion of its European
network. Verizon noted that the multivendor test validates the
maturity of standard 100G transfer rates, which are scheduled to be
ratified by the IEEE and the ITU-T in June.
The 100G test, which included the demonstration of live video
traffic, utilized a 100G interface on Juniper's T1600 Core Router,
NEC's SpectralWave DWDM system, and Finisar's 100G CFP optical
transceiver modules.
In the Verizon Wireless tests, the company said its data calls
involved streaming video, file uploads and downloads, as well as
Web browsing. VoIP calls were also carried out on the tests.
Verizon Wireless said real-world LTE environments will offer 5-12
Mbps on the downlink and 2-5 Mbps on the uplink in mobile browsing
speeds comparable to most customers' existing online Internet
speeds.
"We are on track to deliver an outstanding wireless data experience
to customers in 25 to 30 markets covering roughly 100 million
people by year's end," said Tony Melone, the firm's senior VP and
chief technical officer, in a statement