MTN, NTT & TIP Back NEC’s Award-Winning Optical Network Innovation

NEC Corporation  has been awarded a Requirements Compliant Gold Badge for its latest solution supporting the Phoenix initiative aimed at developing a transponder architecture that will promote the use of disaggregated, open hardware and software in the Optical and IP networking domain. This initiative is backed by the Telecom Infra Project (TIP; *1), a global community working together to develop, test and deploy open, disaggregated, and standards-based solutions. The Gold Badge provides proof of the suitability of solutions for commercial deployment by network operators. This year, NEC was recognized for its Network Operating System (NOS) for optical transponders, making it the world’s first vendor to be awarded the Gold Badge in the NOS field.

The Phoenix project was defined by TIP’s Open Optical and Packet Transport (OOPT; *2) Group, to which NTT, Telia, Telefonica, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, and MTN belong. Comprised of network operators, the OOPT Group is responsible for the specification of technical requirements and focused on the development of open technologies, architectures, and interfaces in the Optical and IP networking domain.

The NEC NOS is a software solution for whitebox transponders that was developed based on open source software and enables the use of disaggregated, open hardware and software in the Optical and IP networking domain promoted by TIP. The installation of open 400G optical transponders using this software makes it possible to build carrier-grade open optical transport networks, thereby meeting the collective TIP requirements of major network operators worldwide.

To earn the Gold Badge, the solution had to undergo testing by network operators. MTN, one of Africa’s largest mobile network operators, contributed to the execution of testing and report submission. Through this field testing, the NEC NOS was recognized for its demonstrated commercial viability in the optical transport market and awarded the badge.

MTN successfully completed field testing using this cutting-edge technology in its optical network covering three spans between Centurion, Germiston, and Randburg near Johannesburg in South Africa. Through these field tests, MTN confirmed 400G transmission, including multiple wavelengths between transponders, and compatibility with existing systems, demonstrating its commitment to innovation.

NEC XON, a leading ICT systems integrator in Africa, was responsible for the installation of equipment and system integration for these field tests.

In addition, NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) has already begun installing this software in its internal network.

Having also been awarded a Requirements Compliant Silver Badge in 2023 after undergoing testing by MTN, NEC remains dedicated to contributing to and cooperating with TIP’s activities.

Telecom Infra Project (TIP) is proud to award the TIP Gold Badge to the NEC Phoenix network operating system (NOS), recognizing NEC Phoenix deployments in commercial networks. The NEC Phoenix solution is strategically significant for Telecom operators & Data Centre operators wishing to deliver greater capacity, programmability and cost efficiency for Metro backhaul transport and Data Centre Interconnect, whilst retaining inherent flexibility in choice of hardware and software combinations. The NEC Phoenix solution underwent rigorous testing in pre-production environments and deployment in networks for NTT Communications in Japan as well as MTN and Teraco in South Africa, ensuring the highest levels of quality and deployment. This milestone reinforces TIP’s commitment to accelerating open and interoperable disaggregated technologies for a more agile telecom ecosystem.

– Kristian Toivo, Executive Director, Telecom Infra Project

We are very pleased to have contributed to the Gold Badge certification of Phoenix by working with NEC during the development of NOS and deploying Phoenix products in our internal network. We will continue our contribution to TIP’s activities in the open optical and IP network field.

– Yuichiro Wada, Director, Innovation Center, NTT Communications Corporation

At MTN, we are proud to have hosted the testing of this breakthrough technology. Phoenix 400G connectivity marks a significant milestone in our journey towards delivering reliable and scalable network solutions. This achievement will allow us to deploy our optical network connectivity solutions quicker and more flexibly because of its open and disaggregated nature.

– Lloyd Mphahlele, General Manager, Transport and OSS Tools, Group Technology, MTN Group

We are thrilled to be the world’s first vendor to receive the Gold Badge in the field of NOS for optical transponders. We have developed an understanding of TIP’s stringent requirements through our experience with field tests and ongoing collaboration with TIP, enabling us to earn this badge. We place great importance on our ties with TIP and the network operators participating in these activities, and remain committed to strengthening these relationships and contributing to the development of open solutions for the optical transport market.

– So Sato, Senior Director of the Network Solutions Business Division, NEC Corporation