Economics of a Convergent Optical Backbone Transport with NG-OTN

In planning the evolution and transformation of optical transport networks, network operators are faced with multiple difficult choices in terms of the network design and optimization with new emerging technologies and network transition strategy to achieve higher flexibility, scalability and resiliency at minimum expenditures. We attempt in this paper to answer these difficult questions by means of a practical methodology. We demonstrate that a converged backbone transport network architecture with Next- Generation Optical Transport Network (NG-OTN) technologies can meet the carrier's requirements at minimum capital investment. We support this converged backbone transformation solution with a comprehensive case study that looks at the evolution of an actual service provider's optical backbone transport network using a realistic service mix, traffic growth and cost models. The study's objective is to propose the transformation of the optical backbone transport network by introducing the convergence of multiple service and transport layers using (NG-OTN) technologies, and by performing a network design and optimization to meet the scalability, flexibility and resiliency requirements while minimizing the investment in infrastructure and network operations.