Communications service provider XO Communications has begun rolling out 100-Gbps wavelengths on a U.S. nationwide fiber-optic backbone network using coherent-based technology from Nokia Siemens Networks. XO chose Nokia Siemens Networks’ technology over that of its other incumbent long-distance platform supplier, Infinera.

According to XO Senior Vice President and CTO Randy Niklas, the first-of-its-kind national network initially will see four to six wavelengths of 100-Gbps traffic traveling over previously unlit fiber. The routes will have the capacity to handle 96 wavelengths, either with newly installed Nokia Siemens Networks hiT7300 systems or, in the near-term future, upgrades to the hiT7300 platforms XO already had in its network.

The 100-Gbps wavelengths will derive from multiplexed 10-Gbps traffic, Niklas told Lightwave. However, conversations are already underway with wholesale and client service customers who might require 100-Gbps connections. Along these lines, XO has completed 100-Gbps interface certification on Cisco routers and is doing the same with Juniper Networks routers, Niklas added.

Niklas said that XO did not conduct an RFP for the backbone project, but turned to its incumbent suppliers. He said Nokia Siemens Networks was chosen because it could deliver 100-Gbps capabilities to XO’s amortization targets better than Infinera. “And we frankly got good business terms,” he added.

XO has partially completed the roll out, with work ongoing in its West Coast, Northeast corridor, and southwest territories. Meanwhile, the company has already turned its attention to shorter reach applications, thanks to interest from a major wireless carrier customer that wants 100-Gbps connectivity to its switching centers. To meet such requirements, XO also is certifying platforms from Ciena and Cisco for 100-Gbps performance.

This is the first announced 100-Gbps customer in North America, Jim Benson, head of Optical Networks for the Americas at Nokia Siemens Networks, confirmed. However, he indicated that XO isn’t the company’s only customer on the continent. Nokia Siemens Networks announced a pair of European 100G customers previously.