Key takeaways
- EXA Infrastructure announced ultra-low-loss fibre upgrades to its pan-European networks, starting with a key backhaul route in Spain
- The upgrades use Corning Incorporated’s SMF-28 ULL optical fibre, the world lowest loss terrestrial fibre
- The first project renewed 300 kilometres of backbone from the French border via Barcelona toward Valencia
- The upgraded route serves new data centres in Barcelona and new subsea cables being deployed into the city
- Steve Roberts says EXA will start with its high-demand route in Spain and then target priority links across the region
Fibre upgrades begin in Spain
EXA Infrastructure, the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America, today announced upgrades to its pan-European networks, starting with a key backhaul route in Spain. EXA is collaborating with fibre optic technology provider, Corning Incorporated, leveraging the company’s ultra-low-loss optical cables.
EXA Infrastructure is utilising the latest high-end specification fibre optic cables across multiple key network routes around the continent in a two-year overpull upgrade. The first project has delivered 300 kilometres of backbone network renewed with hybrid cable, featuring Corning® ALTOS® loose tube outdoor duct cable with SMF-28® ULL optical fibre. Additional projects utilize MiniXtend® cable and SMF-28® ULL optical fiber with 200-micron outer diameter, which supports higher density cables through its lower outside diameter.
Test results on the upgraded route
In initial testing of the upgraded route from the French border via Barcelona toward Valencia, site-to-site losses on installed cables, including network connectors and splice losses, have been in the range of 0.17-0.18 dB/km for the SMF-28 ULL fibre at 1550 nm, providing EXA Infrastructure with great resiliency and capacity levels required for the most data-intensive customers in the region.
The first upgraded route has seen new cable installed through existing EXA Infrastructure ducts to serve increasing demand in north east Spain. This includes new data centres being developed in Barcelona and new subsea cables being deployed into the city.
Fibre specification
- Corning ALTOS loose tube outdoor duct cable with SMF-28 ULL optical fibre
- MiniXtend cable and SMF-28 ULL optical fiber with 200-micron outer diameter for higher density cables
- Site-to-site losses of 0.17-0.18 dB/km at 1550 nm, including network connectors and splice losses
- A two-year overpull upgrade across multiple key network routes
What the executives said
“This collaboration will see the very latest fibre technology brought to our network across Europe. By engaging closely with Corning, we will ensure that we are investing in the best quality connectivity and making that available to our customers, starting with our high-demand route in Spain and then targeting priority links across the region,” said Steve Roberts, Senior Vice President Product and Marketing.
“Ultra-low-loss optical fibres, such as our SMF-28 ULL fibres, are instrumental in allowing carriers and cloud operators to achieve long reach and high transmission capacity to meet future bandwidth demand,” said Sharon Bois, Division Vice President, Product Line and Marketing, Corning Optical Fiber and Cable. “Collaborating with EXA on such a large and advanced fibre network provides an excellent endorsement of the quality and scalability of our solutions, and we look forward to the development of this project across Europe.”
World lowest loss terrestrial fibre
Corning’s SMF-28® ULL fibre is the world lowest loss terrestrial fibre. Millions of kilometres have been sold and deployed worldwide, including in the harshest environments and most demanding long-haul applications.
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About EXA Infrastructure
Headquartered in London, UK, EXA Infrastructure is the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America, supporting 1,500 customers across 103,000 kilometres of fibre network that connects 300 cities. The network features more than 500 Points of Presence (POPs), spanning 31 countries, 14 Tier 3-equivalent data centres and 300 co-location facilities, as well as three wholly-owned transatlantic subsea cables including the lowest latency route between Europe and North America. EXA is wholly-owned by I Squared Capital. For more see exainfra.net
About Corning Incorporated
Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world's leading innovators in materials science, with a 170-year track record of life-changing inventions. Corning applies its unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics along with its deep manufacturing and engineering capabilities to develop category-defining products that transform industries and enhance people's lives. Corning succeeds through sustained investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and deep, trust-based relationships with customers who are global leaders in their industries. Corning's capabilities are versatile and synergistic, which allows the company to evolve to meet changing market needs, while also helping its customers capture new opportunities in dynamic industries. Today, Corning's markets include optical communications, mobile consumer electronics, display, automotive, and life sciences.
