Delivering the highest optical backbone capacity in Vietnam, Viettel deploys WL5e and successfully completes WL6e trial

Viettel is working with Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) to increase the service capacity of its optical network, establishing itself as a favorable network partner to hyperscalers keen to expand services into Vietnam. Transmitted over Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform powered by Ciena’s WaveLogic 5 Extreme (WL5e) 800G coherent optics, the network upgrade accelerates Viettel’s 5G expansion plans.

Viettel envisions traffic demand growing locally and internationally, driven by cloud and artificial intelligence-led applications and services, and selected Ciena primarily for its expertise in Layer 0 control plane technology.

Leveraging the programmability of WL5e, the Viettel backbone can now support high-capacity 600 Gb/s wavelengths that span distances of more than 1,000km. Deployed by Elcom, the upgrade enables Viettel to increase its current backbone capacity over 6 times from 4 Tb/s to 25.2 Tb/s, significantly increasing connectivity speed, space, and power efficiencies. Viettel is also benefitting from automated operations using Ciena’s Navigator Network Control Suite to help manage the network throughout its entire operational lifecycle.

Viettel recently achieved a significant milestone, attaining 1.6 Tb/s through a single optical channel across one of its network links using Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e). The trial saw the doubling of Viettel’s existing fiber wavelength capacity from 800Gb/s to 1.6Tb/s and positions WL6e as a viable upgrade option for Viettel to address increasing bandwidth demands. With WL6e, Viettel will be able to expand its offerings to include ultra-high speed 800GbE connectivity services.

“Optical backbones are critical to providing the connectivity needed to continue Vietnam’s reputation as a fast-growing digital economy in Southeast Asia,” said Wendy Le, Country Lead, Vietnam, Ciena. “Together with Viettel, Ciena is helping build the connectivity foundation essential to help Vietnam maintain its pace of growth in the AI era, all while optimizing carbon footprint, power, and capacity.”

About Viettel
Viettel has gradually transformed from the leading telecommunications operator in Vietnam to an industrial and technological corporation reaching out to the world. The promise of "caring innovator" will last as the journey goes on.

About Ciena
Ciena is the global leader in high-speed connectivity. We build the world’s most adaptive networks to support exponential growth in bandwidth demand. By harnessing the power of our networking systems, components, automation software, and services, Ciena revolutionizes data transmission and network management. With unparalleled expertise and innovation, we empower our customers, partners, and communities to thrive in the AI era. For updates on Ciena, follow us on LinkedIn and  X, or visit the Ciena Insights webpage and Ciena website.

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