Comcast creates nationwide optical network

Comcast will create its own nationwide optical network for triple-play services by leasing 19,000 miles of metro and inter-city dark fiber from Level 3 Communications, Level 3 announced Tuesday.

The network, which will involve other fiber providers working with Level 3, will initially cost Comcast about $100 million in 20-year fiber capacity leases, routing, equipment and other expenses, Level 3 said. It will cover 95% of Comcast’s cable television footprint, which reaches more than 21 million subscribers.

The network will contain multiple 40-Gb/s wavelengths for a total potential capacity of about 3 Tb/s, Level 3 said, but it will initially be provisioned in multiple 10-Gb/s wavelengths.