MTN launches Phoenix, Africa’s first 400G optical transponder

The successful deployment of Phoenix, Africa’s first 400G optical transponder solution, has been announced by MTN Group and NEC XON. This project represents a critical turning point for the African telecom sector and has the potential to completely change how optical networks are constructed and run, changing how the internet is delivered throughout the continent.

The Phoenix solution represents a major advancement for the telecom sector and has the potential to completely transform networking and communication in Africa and beyond. MTN sets a great example for other telecom operators to follow by being the first to implement this cutting-edge technology, which eventually benefits users by providing better, more affordable connectivity.

Phoenix is a member of the Open Optical and Packet Transport (OOPT) project group of the Telecom Infra Project (TIP), which is a cooperative endeavor comprising several telecom operators and technology companies. The solution has been awarded a Controlled Environment Silver Badge, indicating that it is ready for deployment, after passing TIP’s stringent test standards.

Anthony Laing, General Manager of Networking at NEC XON, stated, “Disaggregation is the future of networking, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this evolution.” “This innovation is revolutionary. It lowers costs, fosters innovation, and gives our clients the freedom to select their own hardware and software—all major benefits in the cutthroat telecom market of today.”

Disaggregation is the key to fostering healthy competition in the telecom sector. Other key benefits of the Phoenix Solution include faster, more affordable networks with broader coverage, increased access to affordable connectivity across Africa, lower prices, improved services, and more options for end users.

The Phoenix solution passed rigorous testing to obtain the Silver Badge, and MTN and NTT Communications (NTT-Com) were involved in the execution and report filing. The technology’s feasibility in an inter-datacenter network situation was demonstrated by field testing carried out within MTN’s production network in South Africa.

Sou Satou, Senior Director of NEC Corporation’s Network Solutions Business Division, said, “We are thrilled to receive the Silver Badge recognition from TIP, acknowledging our commitment to promoting open and disaggregated solutions with the Phoenix optical transponder.” “Our dedication to TIP and the development of open products in the optical transport market remains a top priority for NEC,” she stated.

Phoenix is being deployed with the goal of democratizing information access by streamlining network operations and accelerating internet connectivity. It seeks to address a crucial societal need by expanding access to inexpensive internet throughout Africa.

As more proof of the cutting-edge technology’s interoperability and backwards compatibility, MTN has embraced it and integrated it into its production network, notably across its optical network between Johannesburg and Centurion in South Africa. This shows MTN’s dedication to innovation.

According to Amith Maharaj, Executive for Network Design & Planning at MTN Group, “the deployment of Phoenix with NEC technologies is a significant step toward fulfilling a crucial promise to our customers, to deliver accessible, reliable, and fast internet.” “This initiative is part of our ongoing efforts to embrace the latest technologies available that ultimately empower communities across Africa.”

Operators can easily implement Phoenix, a white box L0/L1 transponder, to increase network capacity on their current optical line systems. Based on separated hardware and software parts, it provides 400Gbps line interface rates. The NEC Network Operating System, which runs on Wistron’s Galileo Flex-T hardware and is built on Goldstone open-source software, is the component of NEC’s solution. The Phoenix system can be used with a range of transceivers that meet OIF and OpenROADM requirements.