ZTE Corp, a global leader in integrated information and communication technology solutions, together with Türk Telekom, Turkey’s largest integrated telecom operator, has successfully completed the world’s first 1.6T Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) trial over a live network.
The trial was conducted across Istanbul’s metropolitan area, leveraging 12THz bandwidth to transmit ultra-fast 800GE and 400GE client services. This achievement connects the European and Asian sides of Istanbul with unprecedented speed and capacity, marking a milestone for optical networking innovation.
The successful completion of this trial sets the stage for the upcoming large-scale deployment of 5G networks, supporting the broader digital transformation of industries across Turkey and bolstering economic ties between Europe and Asia.
ZTE Corp Accelerates Turkey’s Optical Network Modernization
With the global expansion of digital economies and Turkey’s national focus on 5G infrastructure, building ultra-wide, high-capacity optical networks has become a strategic priority for operators. Türk Telekom, recognized for its leadership in transmission layer innovation, is the first operator in Turkey to implement a 1.6T single-channel optical transmission trial using next-generation DWDM technology on a live network.
The trial employed ZTE Corp’s flagship optical transport platform, the ZXONE 9700, integrated with a proprietary 1.6T optical module. Utilizing the ultra-wide spectrum of C6THz and L6THz bands, the system successfully accessed 800GE and 400GE client services. Data transmission spanned the critical metro DWDM network in Istanbul, which handles a significant portion of the city’s data traffic while physically linking two continents.
This effort highlights how enhanced spectrum utilization can meet future network demands without requiring additional fiber deployments. The ability to access broader spectrum bands enables a scalable, future-oriented network foundation suited for evolving service needs, such as ultra-high-definition video, cloud computing, and industrial IoT.
ZTE Drives Energy Efficiency with New Optical Module
Beyond achieving higher transmission rates, ZTE Corp’s 1.6T optical module addresses another critical operator concern: energy efficiency. Compared with the previous 1.2T modules, the new 1.6T module achieves a 25% reduction in power consumption per Gbit.
This efficiency gain is vital for reducing operational expenses and supporting low-carbon network development strategies. By consuming less power per unit of data transmitted, network operators can deliver better services while minimizing their environmental impact.
In partnership with ZTE, Zafer Orhan, Deputy General Manager of Network at Türk Telekom, stated, “As the leading force behind Turkey’s digital transformation, Türk Telekom continues to develop innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for data speed, enhance manageability, and drive greater energy efficiency. We are laying the groundwork for next-generation technologies through sustainable and forward-thinking advancements in data transmission.”
He also emphasized that during the intercontinental speed test conducted across the Bosphorus, they achieved a significant increase in capacity along with notable energy savings. These next-generation data transmission technologies will help accelerate business processes and boost efficiency across a wide range of sectors, such as smart cities, autonomous vehicles, healthcare services, manufacturing, and digital gaming.
This focus on energy optimization also aligns with the global trend toward building greener telecommunications infrastructure, a growing requirement for operators under tightening regulatory and sustainability frameworks.
ZTE Corp Validates Technical Excellence in DWDM Innovation
The trial’s success is a strong testament to ZTE’s capabilities in the field of DWDM innovation. Executing such high-capacity transmission on a live, heavily used metro network demonstrates the robustness and reliability of the technology.
Peng Aiguang, Senior Vice President of ZTE, remarked, “This successful trial marks a new step in the technological innovation and cooperation between the two parties in the field of optical communications. Through this trial, we have not only verified ZTE’s leading strength in DWDM technology but also laid a solid foundation for the efficient, intelligent, and sustainable development of future networks.”
He also emphasized that ZTE is looking forward to continuing the deepening cooperation with Türk Telekom by jointly promoting the evolution of optical communication technology, providing global users with a better network experience, and promoting the vigorous development of the digital economy.
The successful implementation highlights not only the high performance of ZTE’s optical transport solutions but also the company’s focus on offering scalable, intelligent networking options that can adapt to emerging technological demands.
Supporting the Future of 5G and Beyond
The implications of this trial go beyond immediate network improvements. High-capacity optical transport systems like the one demonstrated are foundational for the success of 5G and upcoming 6G networks. These technologies require ultra-low latency, extremely high throughput, and the ability to support millions of connected devices seamlessly.
Building a network backbone capable of meeting these requirements depends on advances such as 1.6T DWDM. By investing in optical transport innovation today, operators position themselves to handle tomorrow’s technological demands without undergoing disruptive infrastructure overhauls.
In Turkey’s context, this development aligns with national initiatives aiming to strengthen digital infrastructure, improve industrial competitiveness, and offer citizens better access to advanced communication services.
Paving the Way for Commercial Deployment
With the trial’s success, ZTE Corp and Türk Telekom have set a clear roadmap for future commercialization. The proven capabilities of the 1.6T optical module suggest that wider deployment across Turkey’s core and metro networks is not far behind.
Operators worldwide are observing such trials closely, as demand for multi-terabit optical transmission continues to grow. The pressure to deliver more bandwidth with higher energy efficiency, from metropolitan data hubs to long-haul national backbones, reshapes network planning priorities.
During this trial, the intercontinental transmission across the Bosphorus demonstrated technical performance and operational readiness for real-world conditions—giving operators a clear view of the benefits they can expect when scaling the technology for broader use.
ZTE Corp Strengthens Commitment to Optical Innovation
ZTE Corp’s ongoing efforts in optical network development reinforce its broader commitment to enabling digital transformation globally. By continuously pushing the boundaries of what optical transport systems can achieve, the company plays a key role in building the high-speed, sustainable, and intelligent networks that future societies will require.
Through collaboration with leading operators such as Türk Telekom, ZTE Corp aims to deliver technological solutions that address current challenges while anticipating future needs. This 1.6T DWDM trial is an example of what can be accomplished when innovation meets real-world network demands.
The successful trial sends a strong message to the industry: advanced optical networking is no longer a future vision. With proven deployments like this, the next communication era is already taking shape.