Telekom Srbija Group and its subsidiary Mtel deployed new optical transport infrastructure using Ciena technology to strengthen connectivity between Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The network upgrade targets higher-capacity, lower-latency transport to support regional traffic growth, 5G readiness, and integration into major European connectivity corridors.
The deployment uses Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform with WaveLogic 5 Extreme coherent optics to deliver 800 Gb/s over a new 150-kilometer (93-mile) fiber route linking the two countries. The route improves resilience and scalability while enabling Telekom Srbija to accommodate rising capacity demands tied to cloud traffic, hyperscaler interconnection, and national 5G rollouts.
The project includes close coordination with IGMAKO Smart Solutions, Ciena’s certified service partner in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which provides system integration and deployment services across access and transport networks. The upgraded cross-border link positions both countries as regional transit points for east-west and north-south European traffic flows.
- 800 Gb/s wavelength capacity enabled by WaveLogic 5 Extreme coherent transceivers
- New 150 km (93 mi) fiber route connecting Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Designed to support 5G transport, hyperscaler traffic, and future capacity expansion
- Deployed on Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform with regional system integration support
“Telekom Srbija Group has continually invested in innovations and the development of state-of-the-art network infrastructure with the aim of ensuring that our customers receive top-quality and reliable services,” said Katarina Subotić, Chief Sales Officer at Telekom Srbija. “This project upgrades our network foundation, enabling low latency, high reliability, and new opportunities for regional business expansion.”
🌐 Analysis
Cross-border optical upgrades in Southeast Europe increasingly focus on 800G-class coherent transport as operators prepare for higher cloud and AI-driven traffic volumes. Ciena’s WaveLogic 5 deployments across Europe reflect a broader shift toward fewer wavelengths with higher per-channel capacity, improving fiber utilization while simplifying network operations compared with earlier multi-wavelength expansion strategies.
