Nortel and Verizon are claiming to have implemented the first 100Gbps network (100G) in the industry.
The commercial network running between Frankfurt and Paris provides 10 times the typical speed seen in networks today, but without the need to replace huge amounts of infrastructure to do so.
Instead, the 100G wavelength was added alongside Verizon's existing 10G wavelengths with on the 893km link between the two cities to transfer the private IP traffic.
Philippe Morin, president of Metro Ethernet Networks at Nortel, said in a statement: "Nortel's 100G optical solution uses groundbreaking technology that allows service providers to meet the demands that high bandwidth applications like HD video on demand, online gaming and cloud computing are putting on their network."
"Our 100G solution is the result of years of dedicated research and development into this cutting-edge technology, and builds on two decades of innovation leadership in the optical industry."
As well as good news for the increasing capabilities of the networking industry, it is also good news for Ciena which is set to purchase this arm of Nortel's business for $769 million following the company filing for bankruptcy earlier this year.
Analyst firm Ovum has also released a statement saying it predicts a huge rise in the global demand for the technology.
"While other vendors rush to develop advanced 100G optical transport technologies, Nortel's 100G solution has been tested and proven with some of the world's largest service providers, including Verizon," said Ron Kline, principal analyst for Ovum, in a statement.
"Nortel continues to push the envelope with 100G optical transmission, keeping its technology edge in high-capacity transport."
