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    HomeCloud/NFVLaser Light Companies, Nokia start Beta build of optical global network

    Laser Light Companies, Nokia start Beta build of optical global network

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    This phase of the deployment will reach five continents ahead of commercial launch

    Laser Light Companies and Nokia have agreed on a $25 million (€23.16 million) Beta programme to start deploying Laser Light’s planned global all-optical network. Laser Light will only use Nokia’s optical and IP solutions and technologies to enable the first stage of its planned Extended Ground Network System (XGNS) to reach diverse locations.

    Start Down Under

    The Beta will start in Australia with locations in the US, Chile, Spain and Africa later this year. Nokia’s Australian operations will serve as Laser Light’s global partner for its overall XGNS programme, including provision of selective R&D, engineering, collaborative innovation, optics and IP capabilities.

    When completed, Laser Light and Nokia’s Beta Program will operate a meshed global platform connecting five continents. It will be able to demonstrate advanced data services and the platform to support integration ahead of launching the global commercial network.  

    Laser Light’s infrastructure will initially comprise more than 200 locations in the meshed infrastructure. That mesh will include subsea cable, terrestrial fibre, data centres and what it says is an industry-first constellation of all-optical satellites.

    High capacity, low latency

    The infrastructure is intended to offer secure, high capacity, low latency data services to users in metro, and near and far edge data markets. Each location will serve regional, locally defined data pools, seeking, lower cost access to cloud services, including edge computing and content delivery.

     “Nokia has been a wonderful strategic partner for us this past year, and we are honoured to be able to continue our collaboration on our network,” said Bob Brumley, Chairman and CEO of Laser Light Companies.

    Stuart Hendry, Head of Enterprise for Asia Pacific and Japan, Nokia, added, “Laser Light’s vision for service innovation and advanced customer use cases is exciting and transformational.”

    Building on the 5G Tech Lab at the University of Technology in Sydney (UTS), Nokia intends to complete integration of the Beta at an expanded facility, enabling future collaboration between Laser Light, Nokia, UTS, research and industry partners. Nokia announced its 5G Tech Lab at UTS in 2021.

    We will report back with more information on this as soon as we can.