Windstream launched an optical network wave service based on multi-vendor service orchestration and automated provisioning tied to its long-haul core network.

The product is exhaustively named Software Defined Network Orchestrated Waves (SDNow) for Data Center Cloud applications. Put more simply, it uses the company’s software-defined networking (SDN) infrastructure to leverage its optical network to orchestrate optical wavelength services.

Windstream said the platform’s DevOps approach to automaton of service fulfillment should improve the customer experience and accuracy of deployments. The service targets customers in the data center and cloud space.

The service is initially launching in five third-party carrier neutral data centers in Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, and Ashburn, Virginia. Windstream said it expects to expand to 50 additional locations this summer.

The announcement builds on Windstream's deal it signed last October with Ciena to use its Blue Planet network functions virtualization (NFV) platform to automate and manage delivery of gigabit Ethernet (Gig-E) services. At the time, Windstream said it would use the platform to integrate with third-party SDN controllers to enable orchestration across its optical network.

Windstream’s Wholesale business unit this year plans to integrate additional third-party SDN controllers to support “intent-based service orchestration across multiple layers of the Windstream network.”

Windstream management cited an operational drag from “legacy services” for its Wholesale business during its most recent quarterly performance conference call.

The move highlights an increased push by network providers to integrate software control over assets. The idea is to increase agility and lower costs for the operator in rolling out new services and to provide customers with greater control over their service needs.