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One of the UK’s largest alternative full fibre broadband operators, Netomnia (inc. retail ISPs Brsk and YouFibre), has deployed a Smartoptics ROADM-based core network across the UK that should deliver scalable IP over DWDM at 100G and 400G wavelengths and is even classed as being “800G-ready by design” (800Gbps if you prefer).
Just for some context. Netomnia’s 10Gbps speed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network currently covers 2.4 million UK premises (RFS) and has connected 310,000 customers (here). But they’re also aiming to expand their network to reach 3 million premises by the end of 2025 and then 5 million by the end of 2027 (inc. 1 million customers by 2028).
However, today’s announcement is more focused on the core network that underpins the aforementioned deployment, which needs a lot of capacity in order to support that connectivity to connect a rapidly rising number of homes and businesses. The company is thus connecting existing hubs around London, Manchester and Wales into a ring network using its own Dark Fibre.
As part of the above, Netomnia has chosen to deploy Smartoptics’ flexible 34-degree ROADMs (Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer) – managed with the SoSmart software suite, variable gain amplifiers and coherent optics, the 800G-ready network supports any-to-any high-speed services. For those unfamiliar with this, a ROADM is a device that dynamically manages the routing of optical signals (wavelengths) within their network.
“Netomnia’s new national ROADM network enables near-unlimited capacity while reducing dependence on external providers,” said the announcement.
Sam Defriez, Director of Networks at Netomnia, said:
“Investing in our own dark fibre and equipment was the clear long-term choice, with projected savings of millions compared to leased lit capacity over five to seven years. Smartoptics stood out with no licensing fees for alien wavelengths, a compact footprint, and 800G-ready ROADMs that are easy to manage with the SoSmart controller.
The solution outperformed more complex and restrictive alternatives. Deploying a national network could have been complex and challenging, but thanks to Smartoptics’ intuitive platform and strong support, the rollout felt easy from the start.”
The move complements YouFibre’s recent decision to do other things, such as becoming the first ISP to take a 400G (Gbps) port at the London Internet Exchange’s (LINX) regional interconnection hub in the North – LINX Manchester (here). Not to mention Netomnia’s now imminent plans to launch broadband products based off the cutting edge 50G PON standard (here), which in practice is likely to make broadband speeds of around 40Gbps+ via FTTP viable.