OneFiber & Ciena Build 1.6 Tb/s Secure German Network

As cyber threats targeting transport, energy and communication systems increase across Europe, telecommunications providers are stepping up to defend national resilience. In Germany, OneFiber Interconnect is building a high-capacity, secure fibre network to help safeguard vital infrastructure.

To meet the demands of modern digital defence, OneFiber has partnered with Ciena to deploy a next-generation optical network with a bandwidth of up to 1.6 Tb/s.

The initiative is not only a response to rising security concerns but a strategic move to accelerate digital transformation across public and private sectors.

Using Ciena’s advanced optical technology, OneFiber is creating a national “Active Network” that supports high-speed, encrypted data transmission across 5,500km of fibre-optic infrastructure and up to 300 access points.

Empowering digital security with advanced photonics 

At the heart of the deployment is Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme, a high-performance optical platform that enables OneFiber to deliver scalable bandwidth, ranging from 10 Gb/s up to 1.6 Tb/s. The solution addresses escalating data demands with the flexibility to double fibre capacity by using both C- and L-bands.

Additionally, Ciena’s Coherent Routing solution supports the network’s edge, featuring the 5000 and 8000 families of routers and WaveLogic 5 Nano pluggable transceivers. It provides OneFiber with a converged IP/optical infrastructure that simplifies operations, supports multi-layer traffic management, and ensures a lower carbon footprint.

Testbed for enterprise and government resilience

A cornerstone of OneFiber’s deployment is the Bahn-Technologie-Campus (BTC) Havelland near Berlin, where a live campus network powered by Ciena supports R&D for digital security. Enterprise and public-sector customers are invited to test and validate solutions under realistic network conditions.

The network’s support for quantum key distribution (QKD) is particularly important. The cutting-edge approach safeguards against the risks posed by quantum computing. Ciena’s Waveserver platform offers 800 Gb/s optical encryption and open APIs to integrate with QKD systems, giving customers a forward-looking security solution that aligns with future-proofing goals.

Open-access infrastructure designed for agility

Built as an open-access network, OneFiber’s infrastructure offers telecom partners a broad portfolio of connectivity services, from dedicated spectrum and high-capacity wavelengths to 800GbE options.

This makes it an attractive platform for carriers, enterprises and government agencies looking for flexible, scalable and secure solutions to support digital transformation.

Ciena’s programmable photonics and dynamic routing capabilities enable OneFiber to adapt in real-time to shifts in demand, ensuring reliable performance even during disruption or increased traffic. These capabilities are especially crucial for customers with mission-critical data and real-time operational needs.

Kay Euler, CEO of OneFiber, highlighted the collaboration’s strategic importance, stating: “Our work with Ciena represents a significant milestone in our commitment to securing Germany’s critical infrastructure. By leveraging Ciena’s innovative technology, we are empowering our customers with the highest levels of network performance, reliability, and data security, which is especially important to our government agencies.”

“Together, we are driving digital transformation and enabling a new era of secure and resilient connectivity in the country.”

A model for telecom engagement in national security

For telecommunications companies, the OneFiber-Ciena collaboration offers a blueprint for engaging with public-sector needs while developing commercially viable, secure infrastructure.

As governments increase investment in resilient digital networks, partnerships that combine technical excellence with operational agility will set the standard for future-ready connectivity.

OneFiber’s work demonstrates how open-access fibre, paired with advanced optical technology, can support both economic growth and national security.

For telecoms looking to align with public-sector transformation strategies, the initiative marks a clear opportunity to participate in infrastructure modernisation and help shape Europe’s digital defence.

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