EXA Infrastructure has announced a significant extension of its North American network with the introduction of a new route connecting Ashburn, Virginia, to Atlanta, Georgia. This route will feature 400-Gb/s connectivity, enhancing the operator’s capabilities in response to rising demand from hyperscalers and enterprises for data center connectivity, particularly in the context of increasing artificial intelligence (AI) requirements.
The new route traverses the scenic foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and is supported by technology from Ciena. The company will provide its 6500 Reconfigurable Line System (RLS) and 6500 Packet-Optical Platform, which utilize Ciena’s WaveLogic 5 Extreme (WL5e) 800-Gb/s coherent optics. Additionally, EXA will implement Ciena’s Navigator Network Control Suite to achieve comprehensive end-to-end network control and visibility.
According to a report by the Dell’Oro Group, investments in global data centers are projected to reach $455 billion in 2024, driven largely by the growing AI market. The report indicates that AI applications have resulted in a 51% rise in capital expenditures within this sector. Major tech players like Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud are leading the charge, with their AI training workloads significantly contributing to this growth.
Ciena’s Role in Transforming Network Infrastructure
Ciaran Delaney, Chief Operating Officer of EXA Infrastructure, emphasized the importance of this new route in meeting the evolving needs of their network. “We are seeing a renewed desire across our U.S. network for increased ‘highly available’ bandwidth with versatile connectivity and interface options. Our new Ashburn-Atlanta route, leveraging Ciena’s optical RLS technology, allows us to meet these needs while future-proofing further technology advancements on our network,” he stated.
Delaney added that this route is integral to enhancing EXA’s “multi corridor” transatlantic digital infrastructure, which provides unmatched scalability and route diversity for seamless high-speed connectivity globally.
Virginie Hollebecque, Vice President and Leader of EMEA at Ciena, remarked on the company’s commitment to supporting businesses like EXA Infrastructure. “Ciena is committed to empowering businesses like EXA Infrastructure to navigate the ever-changing landscape with confidence. We worked closely with EXA to deploy a network that is optimally prepared to handle AI technologies, making it possible for their customers to seize the opportunities that lie ahead,” she noted.
Recent Developments in Ciena’s Technology Deployments
The partnership between Ciena and EXA Infrastructure follows a recent deployment of Ciena’s coherent technology across the United States in collaboration with Comcast. This initiative aims to improve fiber connectivity in underserved regions. Moreover, Ciena’s optical technology suite has been utilized by the Vietnamese carrier Viettel as part of its 5G expansion efforts.
In Norway, Altibox has integrated Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) coherent optics for a high-capacity subsea transmission, demonstrating the versatility and global reach of Ciena’s technology. Additionally, Ciena has supported the establishment of a high-capacity backbone for a smart city project in Morrow, Georgia, connecting it to the Atlanta Internet Gateway. This project leveraged Ciena’s advanced routers and multilayer network control solutions to facilitate “The District,” Morrow’s central smart city hub, providing open-access, high-bandwidth connectivity.
As the demand for data center connectivity continues to escalate, Ciena’s collaboration with EXA Infrastructure signifies a pivotal development in enhancing network infrastructure across North America, positioning both companies to better serve their customers in an increasingly connected world.