NEWS
Ciena unveils 5G innovations to fuel next wave
of mobile connectivity
iena has added several new
products and capabilities to its
5G Network Solutions aimed at
reducing network complexity and fuelling
operators’ migration from 4G to 5G – from
radios to data centres and everything
in between. Ciena’s unique and open
approach uses intelligent automation,
next-generation routing platforms
and advanced professional services to
support the delivery of differentiated 5G
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services, such as eMBB (enhanced Mobile
Broadband), mMTC (massive Machine-
Type Communications) and ultra-reliable
Low-Latency Communications (urLLC).
In alignment with customer demand,
Ciena is focused on openness as a key
attribute of its 5G solutions. Its new
5G-optimised routers allow Mobile
Network Operators (MNOs) and wholesale
network operators to meet the low-
latency, high-performance demands of
fronthaul, midhaul and backhaul (xHaul)
transport with an open network slicing-
capable architecture. Additionally, with
new 5G software automation features
from Ciena’s Blue Planet, including network
slicing and dynamic planning, operators
can offer, measure and report on different
SLAs based on specific customer needs
and further simplify network buildouts to
support 5G small cell deployments.
Steve Alexander, Chief Technology
Officer at Ciena, said: “Ciena has been
at the forefront of creating some of
the industry’s most advanced wireline
networks and our open 5G Network
Solutions build on that heritage, giving
operators the ability to choose the right
solutions for their needs and to create a
more adaptive network. Operators can
now move to 5G with minimal risk and the
ability to rapidly generate a greater return
on their investments.”
Natilik moves Barratt Developments to the
cloud with SD-WAN
atilik has announced it is
extending its relationship
with Barratt Developments
with a five-year Wide Area Network
contract, built on Cisco’s industry-
leading Software-Defined Wide Area
Network technology.
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Barratt Developments is one of the
UK’s largest housebuilders. This
new investment will provide Barratt
with the agility to quickly respond to
business demands while maintaining
an intelligent security position for its
workforce. The agreement covers 37
sites across the country, deployed on
the UK’s largest Ethernet network,
provided by Exponential-e, Natilik’s
long-term connectivity partner. The
solution allows Barratt to improve
performance by reducing bottlenecks,
mitigating the risks of downtime
while continuing to maintain a
secure network as more services
are consumed via the cloud. This is
www.intelligentdatacentres.com
achieved while providing the Barratt
network team with full visibility and
control of the network through a single
user interface.
Ade Brant, Group IT Director from
Barratt, said: “Implementing innovative
SD-WAN technology is key to our IT
transformation in order that our offices,
developments and field-based workers
have fast and reliable access to our
increasingly cloud-based applications.
Natilik has proven over the years to be
a high-performing and trusted partner
and I’m looking forward to working
with it on this exciting part of
our transformation.”
Alp Kostem, Channel Director,
Exponential-e, said: “Barratt
Developments is the country’s most
recognisable residential property
developer and we’re supporting that
reputation by providing Ethernet across
37 UK sites. Our partnership with
Natilik ensures that its industry-leading
SD-WAN solution is being buoyed by a
strong and reliable Ethernet network and
Barratt will benefit from enhanced agility
and performance across the locations.”
Issue 14
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