Telia Norway and Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) have successfully transmitted 1.6 Tbps over a single optical channel between Oslo and Trondheim, marking a first in the Nordics. The trial, powered by Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) technology, covered a distance of 656 km with seven reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs) along the route. This demonstration highlights the growing need for high-capacity optical networks to support AI-driven applications and data center expansion.
Norway has become an attractive destination for data centers due to its low-cost energy and favorable climate conditions. The success of this trial supports Telia Norway’s plans to enhance network scalability and prepare for increasing bandwidth demand. By leveraging WL6e, Telia Norway aims to establish a high-performance optical fabric capable of handling AI workloads and data-intensive applications.
Ciena’s WL6e, built on advanced 3nm silicon, delivers 1.6 Tbps single-carrier wavelengths while reducing space and power consumption per bit by 50%. The technology enhances metro ROADM deployments and extends network reach for 800G connectivity. This achievement reinforces Ciena’s leadership in high-bandwidth coherent optics and helps position Telia Norway as a key player in Europe’s digital infrastructure growth.
• First live 1.6 Tbps optical transmission in the Nordics
• 656 km route between Oslo and Trondheim
• Seven ROADMs along the path
• Uses Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) technology
“Global businesses increasingly see Norway as a prime data center location due to its affordable energy and favorable climate,” said Georg Svendsen, CTO, Telia Norway. “This technology milestone with Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 strengthens our ability to build a more robust and scalable network to meet growing digital demands.”
