Evolve your network with
Ciena’s 6500 family
Stay ahead of demand with proven packet-optical platforms
Powering sustainable evolution from edge to core
AI, cloud, and data centre interconnect traffic is growing at an unprecedented pace—and traditional approaches can’t keep up. Network operators need more than capacity; they need platforms with agility, efficiency, and scalability to support the next wave of growth.
That’s why Ciena’s 6500 family of Packet-Optical Platforms continues to set the standard. Trusted in over 1,000 networks worldwide, it combines programmability, automation, and sustainable scalability in one platform.
From compact edge deployments to terabit-scale core switching, get the flexibility you need to seamlessly evolve your network and stay ready for what’s next.
Innovation that never stops
The world’s networks don’t pause, and neither does Ciena’s 6500 family. For over 20 years, it’s been setting industry milestones—from the first converged platform to today’s record-breaking 1.6 Tb/s wavelengths.
Its advantage? Relentless innovation, faster optics, smarter operations, greener modular OTN switching, and automation that cuts cost and complexity—all delivered on a platform trusted by more than 1,000 networks worldwide.
The result: a solution that evolves with you, adapts to new demands, and keeps your network ready for the future.
Discover the latest innovations
BLOG
What sets the 6500 family apartUncover five key advantages that keep the 6500 ahead, from flexible design to greener networking.
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Uncover five key advantages that keep the 6500 ahead, from flexible design to greener networking.
INFOGRAPHIC
The 6500 family evolutionSee how the 6500 has progressed—from the first converged platform to today’s 1.6 Tb/s coherent optics.
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See how the 6500 has progressed—from the first converged platform to today’s 1.6 Tb/s coherent optics.
BROCHURE
Inside the 6500 familyExplore the technical details that make this family the trusted packet-optical platform for operators worldwide.
Download brochure
Explore the technical details that make this family the trusted packet-optical platform for operators worldwide.
Evolving your network with Ciena’s 6500
In this fireside chat, Virginie Hollebecque, VP of EMEA, and Nic Benvenuti, VP of Product Line Management, share how service providers can evolve their networks to manage surging AI-driven traffic demands—without disrupting customer experience.
Highlights include:
- Understanding why converged solutions still matter for simplicity, efficiency, and reliability
- Delivering edge-to-core flexibility with the 6500 family, supporting more than 1,000 networks worldwide
- Driving sustainable scale and efficiency through innovations such as 1.6 Tb/s coherent optics, modular OTN switching, and CDC ROADMs
- Continuing our commitment to support operators with software and security updates, as well as seamless migration paths—even across third-party systems
Essential resources for evolving your metro network
VIDEO
6500 advancementsGain expert insights into how the 6500 family helps evolve metro networks.
Watch video
Gain expert insights into how the 6500 family helps evolve metro networks.
PRODUCT
WaveLogic 6 Extreme innovationsSee how WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) enables up to 1.6 Tb/s per wavelength and seamlessly integrates across your existing 6500 assets.
Learn more
See how WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) enables up to 1.6 Tb/s per wavelength and seamlessly integrates across your existing 6500 assets.
SERVICES
Ciena ServicesBuild a responsive, automated, and agile 6500 network with expert support.
Gain insights
Build a responsive, automated, and agile 6500 network with expert support.