Ciena CEO Gary Smith discusses the unseen infrastructure that powers the global internet, from local broadband to transcontinental undersea cables. This episode illuminates how Ciena builds the hardware and software making fiber optic networks transmit vast amounts of data, a critical function for all digital businesses reliant on high-speed, reliable connectivity. Learn about the technological backbone supporting e-commerce, AI, and cloud computing.
Key takeaways
Understand that your e-commerce operations rely on a massive, largely invisible physical infrastructure of fiber optic networks; Ciena is a key player in this, so network reliability is paramount for your business continuity.
Recognize the impact of technologies like WDM/DWDM, which Ciena uses, on increasing data capacity. This directly influences the speed and efficiency of everything from website loading to payment processing in e-commerce.
Appreciate the strategic importance of global subsea cables for international e-commerce. Their resilience and capacity, often enabled by companies like Ciena, directly affect your global reach and customer experience.
Consider the 'AI wave' as not just a software challenge, but one with significant hardware and infrastructure implications. As AI demands grow, so does the need for companies like Ciena to upgrade and expand the internet's physical backbone.
While Ciena may not be a household name, its role is foundational. The physical infrastructure of the internet is a critical, often overlooked, component of reliable e-commerce operations and business growth.
Today, I’m talking with Gary Smith, CEO of the networking company Ciena. You probably aren’t familiar with Ciena — the company isn’t really a household name. But every internet user has relied on the company’s products; Ciena makes the hardware and software that makes the fiber optic cables connecting the world light up with data. That’s everything from local fiber networks for broadband ISPs to the massive undersea cables that connect continents. There’s a high probability that this very podcast came to you over a Ciena network, in fact — the company is everywhere. That means almost every single Decoder idea is right here, sitting on the backbone of the internet. Links: What is WDM or DWDM? | Ciena Southern Cross achieves first 1 Tb/s Transmission across Pacific with Ciena | Ciena The invisible seafaring industry that keeps the internet afloat | Verge The internet really is a series of tubes | Vergecast Meta is building the ‘mother of all’ subsea cables | Verge Ciena CEO: Prepare for the AI wave | Fierce Network The secret life of the 500-plus cables that run the internet CNET Fiber-Optic Technology Draws Record Stock Value | NYT Transcript: https://www.theverge.com/e/24115288 Credits:
Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. Our editor is Callie Wright. Our supervising producer is Liam James.
The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.
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What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Understand that your e-commerce operations rely on a massive, largely invisible physical infrastructure of fiber optic networks; Ciena is a key player in this, so network reliability is paramount for your business continuity.
What does this episode say about brand & content?
Recognize the impact of technologies like WDM/DWDM, which Ciena uses, on increasing data capacity. This directly influences the speed and efficiency of everything from website loading to payment processing in e-commerce.
What does this episode say about ai & automation?
Appreciate the strategic importance of global subsea cables for international e-commerce. Their resilience and capacity, often enabled by companies like Ciena, directly affect your global reach and customer experience.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Consider the 'AI wave' as not just a software challenge, but one with significant hardware and infrastructure implications. As AI demands grow, so does the need for companies like Ciena to upgrade and expand the internet's physical backbone.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
While Ciena may not be a household name, its role is foundational. The physical infrastructure of the internet is a critical, often overlooked, component of reliable e-commerce operations and business growth.
