Philippine telecom incumbent PLDT says it will increase the capacity and service flexibility of its backbone Domestic Fiber Optic Network (DFON) via coherent 100-Gbps technology and Optical Transport Network (OTN) switching capabilities from Ciena Corp. (NASDAQ: CIEN).

This upgrade of PLDT's DFON network is part of the company's two-year network modernization program launched in 2011. The network is expected to be ready for commercial services before the end of this year. The project entails installing new Ciena electronics in the nodes of our high-usage loops and connecting them to existing fibers. PLDT will deploy the Ciena 6500 Packet-Optical Platform with WaveLogic coherent optical technology, integrated ROADM capabilities, and OTN switching as the cornerstone of the upgrade.

“As the first 100G network in the Philippines, this deployment will add significant bandwidth scalability, reliability, and intelligence to PLDT’s network infrastructure. The network upgrade will complete PLDT’s core network modernization program and support the delivery of next-generation services to customers such as fiber-to-the-home, fiber-to-the-building, LTE/4G, IPTV, and triple-play services,” PLDT President and CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno said.

The network will not only benefit PLDT but its cellular subsidiaries, Smart Communications and Sun Cellular, Nazareno added.

“With this first deployment in the Philippines of coherent 40G, 100G and OTN switching solutions from Ciena, PLDT is strengthening its leadership position and further differentiating its network in the highly competitive Philippines marketplace,” added Anthony McLachlan, Ciena vice president and general manager for Asia Pacific.