North Dakota’s Dakota Carrier Network (DCN) LLC has added the ability to transport coherent-based 40-Gbps and 100-Gbps wavelengths on its statewide fiber-optic backbone network. DCN deployed the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform from Ciena Corp. (NASDAQ: CIEN) to enable the new capabilities, according to the systems house.

DCN, a collaboration among 15 independent rural telecommunications companies, serves more than 153,000 customers in 244 communities via 40,000 miles of fiber-optic cable. The service provider received approximately $10.8 million in grant money from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program to upgrade its fiber-optic network. DCN, which already was using 10-Gbps equipment from Ciena, has deployed the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform to create an 88-channel DWDM ring infrastructure. The 10G equipment also can be upgraded through the 6500 platform, Ciena adds.

“DCN provides the foundation for much of North Dakota’s telecommunications infrastructure, and is thus a critical enabler of the state’s economic advancement,” said DCN’s general manager, Evan Hass. “With Ciena’s industry-leading 6500, we can provide our customers confidence that North Dakota has the communications infrastructure to support delivery of broadband-enabled services including healthcare, education, public safety, and long-term business growth.”

“DCN is a great example of a regional service provider that is taking advantage of developments in packet-optical transport technology to help foster economic opportunity for its customers and local community,” according to Chad Whalen, vice president and general manager, North America field operations at Ciena. “Ciena’s coherent optical technology gives DCN a cost-effective and future-proof foundation to ensure its residential, commercial, and government customers have the connectivity required to be successful.”