SLT launches 100G backbone network

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) launched the country's first ultra-speed nation-wide DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) fibre optic backbone transmission network (NBN).

Huawei, the strategic partner of SLT worked with SLT to implement the NBN with new generation OTN-based 100G DWDM solution. The solution which supports eight Terabits (one Terabits = 1,000 Gigabits) per second transmission will help the growth of ICT.

A versatile ICT platform is a critical to achieve the Government's goal of a US$ 100 billion GDP economy and US$ 4,000 per capita income by 2016.

The first step in creating a resourceful ICT platform is strengthening the National Backbone Network (NBN) to cater to future needs of all ICT operators.

With a significantly enhanced bandwidth, the NBN's fibre-optic architecture would enhance connectivity and speed, while bridging the digital divide in the country, a company spokesman said.

The Government awarded the task of building the National Backbone Network (NBN) to SLT in 2013. The NBN aspires to deliver high speed uninterrupted access at all times, to every business and household in the country covering all 329 Divisional Secretariats within a five-year timeframe.

By facilitating access to sophisticated ICT solutions, the higher bandwidth and seamless high-speed connectivity would help to convert households into Smart hubs and transform the way in which people perceive communication technology.

Increasing the capacity of global connectivity hand-in-hand with the development of a national backbone is an essential prerequisite to facilitate the anticipated exponential traffic growth and the envisaged high speed-connectivity experience.

Group CEO, Sri Lanka Telecom, Lalith de Silva said, "SLT has set up a fibre optic network that spans over 20,000 km within the country. Through the company's domestic and global connectivity options, SLT provides the backbone for other operators to enhance services to customers."

Fibre optic transmission infrastructure is fundamental to telecommunications.

Within the past fifty years, the optical transport industry has migrated from PDH, through SDH, WDM, to OTN-based 100G DWDM, boosting network speeds from megabit-level to terabit-level and progressing from pure manual network configuration and management to modest levels of automation.

Huawei's Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Sun said, "NBN is a timely need for SLT. Every day we have more people connecting through the internet. It makes our cooperation with telco operators more significant and prominent.

"We need to continue our best efforts in bridging the digitally divided communities and promoting all with the equal opportunities brought about by the internet."