Astound Business Solutions, a renowned provider of secure and high-capacity connectivity for businesses nationwide, has introduced its latest commercial service, the 400G Wavelength. This innovative offering utilizes Ciena’s WaveLogic 5 Extreme (WL5e) 800G and WaveLogic 5 Nano (WL5n) 400G coherent optics, delivering substantial capacity to meet the demands of large carriers, enterprises, and public sector organizations.
Covering over 41,000 route miles, Astound’s nationwide fiber-optic network ensures connectivity for more than 75,000 business customers and links to over 100 data centers across the United States.
Patrick Knorr, Chief Commercial Officer at Astound Business Solutions, emphasized the driving force behind the adoption of the 400G wavelength service, stating, “The need for greater connectivity speeds between multiple locations and meeting the demand for higher-speed requirements in sites like data centers.” He highlighted the provision of dedicated low-latency, point-to-point bandwidth to common carrier points-of-presence and hyperscaler locations through the 400G Wavelength service powered by Ciena’s cutting-edge optical technology.
Kevin Sheehan, CTO of the Americas at Ciena, highlighted the significance of faster speeds for businesses and the availability of the 400G service to Astound Business Solutions’ customers nationwide. The offering not only caters to localized capacity upgrades but also enhances connectivity to over 100 data centers within Astound’s network footprint, creating a direct link to the cloud.
The application of the 400G Wavelength extends beyond business needs, addressing the requirements of educational systems. In the context of data-rich learning environments, the service provides secure, high-bandwidth connections across multiple campuses, offices, and districts. Astound actively participates in the Universal Service Administrative Company’s E-Rate program, assisting education customers in securing funding for digital learning initiatives.
Patrick Knorr emphasized the importance of high-bandwidth networks in supporting teachers and students dependent on the internet for enhanced learning, collaboration, and research. Astound’s commitment to addressing digital challenges in schools aligns with its involvement in the E-Rate program, empowering schools to succeed in digital and online experiences.
Astound has chosen Ciena’s Waveserver 5 interconnect platform, equipped with WL5e 800G performance-optimized coherent optics or WL5n 400G coherent pluggables, to efficiently deliver 400G connectivity across all network links. The deployment also leverages Ciena’s flexible 6500 ROADM photonic layer for resiliency and scalability, alongside its Navigator Network Control Suite (Navigator NCS) for multi-layer visibility and simplified network management.
Crucially, Astound streamlines its network expansion using Navigator’s PlannerPlus and Emulation Cloud, offering online planning and design tools and an open environment for integration testing with operational support systems. This strategic approach allows Astound to deploy the most suitable coherent technology for any distance, ensuring efficiency in power consumption and cost-effectiveness.
Astound Business Solutions’ launch of the 400G Wavelength, supported by Ciena’s advanced optical technology, marks a significant advancement in providing high-capacity, secure connectivity across various sectors, including businesses and education. The strategic deployment of Ciena’s solutions enhances network efficiency, resiliency, and scalability, positioning Astound at the forefront of addressing the evolving connectivity needs of its diverse customer base.
