Windstream extends SDNow to 50 U.S. markets, accelerates SDN focus

Windstream is bringing its SDN Orchestrated Waves (SDNow) transport service to 50 U.S. markets, advancing its broader movement to equip its network with SDN.

SDNow, an optical wavelength service that uses a centralized, programmable SDN environment, will be available in not only Windstream’s own network access points but also major cloud connectivity and peering locations in the United States.

Using multi-vendor service orchestration and automated provisioning, Windstream has created a dynamic service environment that is says will enable customers to order SDNow 10G point-to-point circuits for 1,500 long-haul route combinations, with delivery in 20 days.

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By expanding the availability of SDNow into more markets, Windstream said can offer two main benefits: it backs up the service provider's pledge to offer programmable network solutions while driving internal operational improvements by migrating to an SDN-based network.

“This SDNow expansion brings the benefits of SDN-provisioned service to even more transport customers across our national footprint – a definite game-changer for Windstream,” said Joseph Harding, executive vice president and enterprise chief marketing officer at Windstream.

As a forward-looking platform, the SDNow platform provides the foundation that will enable future innovative services, including on-demand and calendared bandwidth.

Looking forward, Windstream Wholesale plans to introduce additional services in 2017, integrating additional third-party SDN controllers and enabling true intent-based service orchestration across many layers of the service provider’s network.

Windstream set the pace for its SDN plans last year when it employed Ciena’s Blue Planet to automate how it delivers wavelength services across its multi-vendor optical network.

In tandem with its key optical partners Ciena, Coriant and Infinera will participate in the MEF17 Proof of Concept (PoC) Showcase, illustrating SDN-enabled multivendor orchestration capabilities. The service provider sees the demonstration as a way to illustrate the utility of an intent-based, on-demand automation of wavelength services in a multivendor, multiplatform and multidomain environment.