Adtran extends 400G to the edge with new Terabit routing solution

News summary:

• Operators face rising edge capacity demands as 100G becomes standard across access, aggregation and mobile backhaul
• Adtran’s new Terabit-class edge routers deliver high-capacity in compact, cabinet-ready platforms
• Open disaggregated architecture integrates routing, optics and software-driven management for simplicity, flexibility and control

Adtran today extended its edge routing portfolio with new Terabit-class edge routers, featuring 400Gbit/s interfaces. These new devices give operators a practical, cost-effective way to scale capacity at the network edge without adding space, power or operational burden. Supported by a unified software foundation that simplifies deployment and operations across the portfolio, the solutions provide a consistent, future-ready environment for edge growth. With 100Gbit/s interfaces now widely deployed across fiber access, aggregation and mobile backhaul, operators need higher-capacity edge options that reduce cost, complexity and inventory sprawl. Unlike traditional monolithic platforms, Adtran’s new Terabit-scale edge solution with 400Gbit/s interfaces combines compact, energy-efficient, cabinet-ready designs with optional optical integration for even greater levels of scale and signal amplification.

“Operators are being asked to deliver more bandwidth and support faster deployment timelines, all while managing rising operational complexity and keeping costs under tight control,” said Christoph Glingener, CTO of Adtran. “What we see across the industry is a growing mismatch between real-world edge requirements and the oversized platforms traditionally used to meet them. Operators are being forced to juggle too many boxes, too many port types and too much inventory. Our Terabit edge routers let them scale intelligently, by simplifying deployments, stripping out unnecessary hardware and reducing dependence on proprietary architectures, while maintaining consistent operations as the network grows. The result is a cleaner, more streamlined edge that delivers capacity where it’s needed at significantly lower expense.”

Adtran’s new high-capacity edge routers built on the FSP 150 and SDX 8000 product series support high-density aggregation from 10Gbit/s to 400Gbit/s in compact form factors designed for edge and regional aggregation. The SDX 8230 is purpose-built for temperature-hardened cabinet installations, while the FSP 150-XG490 targets higher-density environments, giving operators flexible options for bringing 400Gbit/s aggregation closer to access networks and mobile backhaul sites without relying on oversized core routers. With the right balance of port density, performance and price, the platforms make 400Gbit/s aggregation practical at the edge, without paying core-router economics for edge use cases. The platforms are powered by Adtran’s network operating system, enabling automation, simplified provisioning and consistent operations as the portfolio evolves.

Adtran’s Terabit-scale edge routers integrate directly with Adtran’s FSP 3000 IP OLS and ZR/ZR+ coherent optics to extend 400Gbit/s packet-based edge transport beyond native reach in supported configurations. This combined approach simplifies network design, reduces the need for standalone transponders and keeps edge architectures streamlined as capacity grows. Unified control and automation across edge routing and optical transport are delivered through Adtran’s automation and orchestration tools, enabling advanced routing services at the edge, such as MPLS, segment routing, EVPN and IPVPN within a disaggregated architecture.

“For teams planning their next phase of edge and aggregation upgrades, deploying our new high-capacity edge solutions is as much about practicality as performance,” commented Andy Ruble, GM of access and aggregation at Adtran. “By bringing together compact 400Gbit/s aggregation, integrated optics and unified management, we make it possible to roll out high-capacity routing in tight cabinet and central-office environments while stripping out surplus equipment, cutting footprint sprawl and avoiding increased operational overhead. It’s a more efficient way to build the edge, one that scales smoothly over time, lowers day-to-day operational effort and supports long-term growth, giving operators the confidence to expand on their own terms with a clearer, more sustainable architecture.”