400ZR+ First Field Trial

This week, Windstream announced it had performed a field trial of Acacia 400ZR+ modules in Cisco compact modular equipment. This is a notable event because it is the first public trial of extended reach 4^th gen pluggable coherent 400ZR+ modules and the first demonstration of 400ZR+ modules using the larger CFP2 format.

Windstream’s public trial of ZR+ optics in the CFP2 form factor provides the first insight into the larger module size’s performance.

Cignal AI had an opportunity to speak with Windstream, Cisco, and Acacia about this event. This report details the trial’s notable effect and its effect on operator interest in pluggable CFP2 solutions vs. traditional fixed coherent.

• The Trial and Its Results
• Analysis and Industry Impact
• Conclusions