Laser Light Selects Nokia as Prime Vendor for Phase One Beta for its Network of the Future
Nokia’s optical and IP network solutions will enable Laser Light to create a single service Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered platform to deliver an on-demand high-speed, high-capacity, highly secure, low latency network for its customers
Laser Light to commence beta trial of its extended ground network system
Reston, VA – Laser Light Communications today announced that it has selected Nokia as its exclusive prime vendor for the first phase of its beta deployment of its global all-optical software defined network. This first phase beta will focus on 16 locations in Australia, Africa, Europe and the United States connected by terrestrial and subsea fiber to be completed and “ready for revenue” in Q4 2023. It is the initial building block of the Laser Light next-generation global data network. Following completion of phase one and two, Laser Light’s all-optical network will include more than 150 locations globally and a converged constellation of high throughput optical satellites, delivering to customers unparalleled highly secure, high capacity, low latency data services on-demand. Each location will also include edge compute, cache and storage capabilities to more comprehensively meet the needs of next generation applications.
As part of the Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) between the two companies, Nokia will serve as Laser Light’s beta trial Strategic Integrator (SI) and Program Manager (PM) as well as exclusively supply Information Communications Technology (ICT) equipment, software, services, modular data centre, power system facilities, and support for the beta. Nokia’s Australian operations will act as an integrator for edge data center facilities because of its advanced engineering, collaborative innovation, optics and IP capabilities.
Nokia will also establish a Center of Excellence (CoE) with Laser Light in support of the phase one beta program to be rolled out in Australia in the third quarter of this year. In addition to showcasing the unique capabilities of the Laser Light network, the CoE will enable Laser Light to benefit from Nokia’s established relationship with the academic institutions and technology labs in the region.
The Laser Light points of presence will enable global services with optical fabric built on Nokia 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS), seamlessly integrated with Nokia WaveSuite applications and Laser Light’s customer portal to enable its customers to easily configure 10Gbps connections within the 100Gbps optical links to their equipment in hosted racks. Nokia Scene Analytics will be integrated with video cameras located at the turnkey edge data centers to ensure site security. This network will be globally managed by Nokia Global Network Operations Centers. Laser Light is also developing a next-generation Content Data Network (CDN) technology which is in R&D and planned to be implemented in the points of presence. Other technology includes Nokia Data Center Fabric (7220 Interconnect Routers with SR Linux), IP router (7705 Service Aggregation Router, 7750 Service Router and Virtualized Service Router) and network management and automation (Network Services Platform) products. As per the terms of the MoC, Nokia has a Right of First Offer (ROFO) for subsequent phases of the project.
“Laser Light will bring a uniquely elastic network with 100 Gbps connections for innovators and organizations invested in AI and real-time analytics to lead the market in Africa. The biggest challenge in creating a data science economy in Africa is the lack of capacity and appropriate infrastructure to support Big Data initiatives. Laser Light and Nokia will be amongst the first to help make this vision possible,” says Vicki Warker, Chief Commercial and Product Officer, Laser Light Communications.
“Laser Light is excited to work with such a global technology leader in our beta deployment, and we look forward to exploring many other opportunities with Nokia as we continue our growth,” says Bob Brumley, Chairman and CEO, of the Laser Light Companies.
“We are thrilled to be appointed as an exclusive prime vendor for phase 1 of the Laser Light beta program. Nokia’s range of next-generation optical network solutions will enable Laser Light to realise its vision of using a combination of subsea, terrestrial and space infrastructure, managed by an AI-enabled platform, to provide high-capacity, high-speed, secure services with low latency, required by businesses and governments,” says Stuart Hendry, Head of Enterprises for Asia Pacific and Japan, Nokia.
About Laser Light Communications
Laser Light Communications is the builder and operator of a global networking platform which delivers a first-of-a-kind 21st century data service that will transform the way high volume data communications traffic is carried and distributed. Using a hybrid approach converging terrestrial, sub-sea, and space domains; an end-to-end software architecture, favoring “always best route, best latency”; and a unique business model, this platform will connect companies, countries, and continents at high speed, more flexibly, securely and economically than ever before. Laser Light Communications will do for networking what cloud did for compute. For more information, please visit https://www.laserlightcomms.com/
About Nokia
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.
As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.
Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world.
Media Inquiries:
doug.webster@laserlightcomms.com