Network companies are moving toward ever-increasing capacity rates to keep pace with the growing bandwidth demands of video services, mobile applications, real-time gaming, large-scale data storage, and enhanced IP services.

By increasing modulation levels and reducing optical transport space using superchannels, the total capacity per fiber is increased by more than 100% compared to current standard 100G systems. Superchannels are the next evolution of optical technology, combining multiple optical media to create a signal with greater 100G capacity. The ability to use existing field fiber to transport at higher capacity rates allows operators to avoid the need to deploy new fiber and, as a result, make better use of existing network infrastructure.

This test also used a novel method that allows different modulation formats to be used to help ensure signal performance at the highest capacity. The two companies are also specifically focused on long-distance fiber transmission performance, as other experiments in this area have been conducted only in a laboratory setting.

In 2011, Verizon and NEC Corporation of America successfully completed the industry's first high-bit-rate transmission, including 100G, 450G, and 1T technologies, all on the same fiber in a joint field test. The company is also continuing to deploy 100G across its global network.