CtrlS Datacenters will build five metro fibre networks with capacity of up to 100 terabits per second (Tbps), connecting nine data centres across Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, New Delhi and Noida. The networks will use optical equipment supplied by US-based networking company Ciena.

The projects form part of a larger Managed Optical Fibre Network (MOFN) that CtrlS is developing for an unnamed leading hyperscaler. Under the arrangement, a provider builds and operates a dedicated fibre network for a single client. Hyperscalers are large cloud service providers that operate extensive data centre fleets.

CtrlS is deploying Ciena’s Waveserver platform, powered by the WaveLogic 5 Extreme optical engine, together with the company’s 6500 Reconfigurable Line System. The optical engine can carry up to 800 gigabits per second on a single wavelength of light. Ciena’s Navigator Network Control Suite will support automated network operations, while its services team will manage the project from end to end.

CtrlS founder and chief executive Sridhar Pinnapureddy said the company was seeing rising demand from enterprises and hyperscalers for reliable data centre interconnect solutions. Ciena attributed the broader increase in bandwidth demand to the growth of artificial intelligence and cloud services.

Founded in 2007, CtrlS operates 19 data centres across nine Indian markets, with more than 370 MW of capacity. It has a further 4.4 GW of projects at various stages of execution and has announced plans to expand into the Middle East and Southeast Asia, beginning with Thailand.