Global Caribbean Network (GCN), a provider of wholesale capacity to a number of telcos in the Caribbean, has upgraded its existing subsea cable network using the Ekinops360 WDM platform with FlexRate technology from optical transport and network access specialist Ekinops.
GCN operates a cable system in the Guadeloupe region of the Caribbean consisting of critical routes unserved by other cables. With service areas separated by long spans that have challenging optical requirements, GCN needed a solution that could support services from 10G to 100G on extended links over 350Km.
Ekinops says that, using the 400FRS04-SF module, ROADMs and low noise amplifiers from Ekinops, GCN is now able to deliver the bandwidth needed for the local service providers throughout the region to offer high bandwidth internet services to the local populations.
GCN built its original cable system as part of a public service delegation contract with the regional council of Guadeloupe. The contract requires control of the cable to be returned to the regional government after a fixed period of time. As a pre-requisite GCN needed to modernise the infrastructure with a future-proof network capable of supporting higher capacities. It recognised Ekinops’ ability to deliver the solution, services and support it needed within a tight schedule.
Axel Adenet, Chief Operations Officer at GCN explains: “We made it our mission to upgrade the network with cutting-edge equipment and technology, as we wanted to ensure that the cable system may continue in operation for many years and Ekinops proved to be the best partner for doing that. Being able to use a French technology company has also been a key factor in our choice since national sovereignty stakes are high for these strategic data flows.”
Frank Dedobbeleer, Chief Revenue Officer, EMEA & APAC at Ekinops, adds: “Ekinops origins are actually in the submarine world, so we are able to leverage our deep expertise in this area to address the needs of customers like GCN.”
