Ekinops Unveils Hybrid Optical Chassis Bridging Data Centers and Telco Central Offices

Ekinops Launches C700HC, a Unified Platform for Converged Network Transport January 8, 2026 The growing demand for high-capacity connectivity between data centers and telecommunications networks is driving innovation in optical transport systems. In a significant development for network operators, Ekinops has announced the commercial availability of its C700HC chassis, a hybrid platform designed to operate seamlessly in both traditional service provider central offices and modern data center environments. The C700HC represents a new class of equipment that merges the capabilities of conventional Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) transport systems with features tailored for Data Center Interconnect (DCI). This dual-purpose design allows service providers to use a single, common platform—featuring identical hardware, software, and management tools—to deliver high-bandwidth services efficiently. It is positioned to serve the burgeoning neo-scaler market, which requires robust and flexible connectivity solutions. Technically, the chassis is part of the Ekinops360 platform and offers enhanced capacity and scalability. Its 20-slot design can be fully populated with ten 800G line modules, delivering a total shelf capacity of up to 8 Tbps. Emphasizing operational efficiency, the system consumes less than 0.2 watts per Gbps at full capacity, addressing critical power consumption requirements in data centers. For deployment flexibility, it maintains a telco-standard 300mm depth and supports DC power for central offices, while also offering front-to-back airflow and AC power options for integration into data centers with hot/cold aisle cooling layouts. Managed by the company's Celestis NMS, the C700HC ensures full interoperability with existing Ekinops chassis. This provides operators with comprehensive service visibility, streamlined end-to-end provisioning, and advanced monitoring for rapid fault isolation. The launch signals a move toward erasing traditional boundaries between network domains, offering a unified transport solution that could simplify infrastructure, reduce costs, and accelerate service deployment for hybrid network architectures. Source: facilityexecutive