Smartoptics and NextLight work on high-speed network

The solution is integrated with Calix broadband access sytems and managed with the Smartoptics SoSmart software suite, allowing NextLight to flexibly scale 100G and 400G connectivity across its network.

NextLight has been delivering fibre Internet to Longmont’s residents for ten years, reaching nearly 70% penetration of fibre-enabled homes. The overwhelming majority of customers served have access to 1G or higher speeds.

The Smartoptics solution upgrades NextLight's DWDM infrastructure to support higher transport capacity and bit rates. Smartoptics muxponders and ROADMs are integrated with Calix broadband access systems to ensure seamless 100G and 400G connectivity between data centers in Longmont, Denver, and Fort Collins, Colorado.

Calix’s Intelligent Access solution and software-defined operating system (AXOS) allows service providers like NextLight to scale their businesses cost-effectively as they grow while establishing a strong foundation for delivering multi-gig broadband and value-added managed services. The Intelligent Access solution integrates with Smartoptics' open optical networking solutions, creating a fully tested, end-to-end offering that accelerates deployment for service providers. The two companies have successfully collaborated on multiple deployments across the United States.

“With Smartoptics, everything is fully open without any licensing fees and with plenty of room to grow. The overall solution is cost-efficient and the easiest we have ever set up. We got everything up and running by ourselves in about a day, without any training. The Smartoptics team is responsive to our feedback, and we can speak directly with a technical expert for support when needed. Their flexibility and openness ensure we have everything we need to keep our network running smoothly,” stated Juan Garcia, Manager, Network Operations and Engineering, City of Longmont, Colorado.

Additionally, the SoSmart software suite of open management and planning tools has been deployed by NextLight to manage the ROADMs easily and efficiently. SoSmart Planner allows NextLight’s engineering team to model circuits, input fibre types, and map fibre routes with ease. All of this significantly reduces the complexity of network operations.

“True to form as a trendsetter of municipal Gb connectivity, NextLight has been an early adopter of SoSmart. They value the ease of use of the entire solution, from plug-and-play network elements to plug-and-play planning and management software. We’re proud to continue supporting their further network expansion, with coherent 100G transceivers for running cost-efficient IP over DWDM as one of the planned next steps,” added Kevin Robinson, Vice President of Sales Americas, Smartoptics.