CtrlS Datacenters is building five 100 Tbps metro fiber networks to link nine facilities across India using Ciena’s optical hardware. This infrastructure project supports rising cloud and AI demand from hyperscalers. The company is actively expanding its portfolio, currently managing 370 MW of capacity with a 4.4 GW pipeline of projects under development.
CtrlS Datacenters is embarking on a significant infrastructure upgrade, partnering with US-based networking specialist Ciena to deploy high-capacity optical fiber networks. The initiative involves creating five dedicated metro networks, each capable of handling 100 terabits per second (Tbps). These networks will provide critical connectivity linking nine of the company’s data center facilities located in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, New Delhi, and Noida.
Scaling Digital Connectivity for Cloud Giants
This deployment centers on a Managed Optical Fibre Network (MOFN) model, specifically designed to meet the requirements of an undisclosed hyperscaler. In this arrangement, CtrlS builds and maintains private fiber architecture tailored to the exact needs of a major client, rather than relying on standard public connections. As AI workloads and cloud consumption continue to increase across India, the demand for high-speed, low-latency data center interconnect solutions has become a priority for tech companies.
The project utilizes Ciena’s Waveserver platform integrated with WaveLogic 5 Extreme optical engines. This hardware is capable of supporting speeds up to 800 gigabits per second on a single wavelength, which helps improve how data is transmitted between facilities. Additionally, the company is using Ciena’s Navigator Network Control Suite to automate routine operations, ensuring the infrastructure meets the high service-level agreements typical of major cloud providers.
Aggressive Infrastructure Expansion and Global Ambitions
CtrlS is currently scaling its footprint rapidly. The company operates a portfolio of 19 data centers across nine Indian markets with a combined capacity of over 370 megawatts (MW). Beyond these operational assets, the company is managing a massive pipeline of 4.4 gigawatts (GW) of projects under development. This scale represents a significant commitment to capital expenditure and signals a shift toward a much larger operational footprint.
While this expansion is driven by the demand for digital infrastructure, it also comes with risks. Large-scale infrastructure projects require significant capital, efficient execution, and consistent demand to ensure that return on investment remains stable. Any delay in project commissioning or lower-than-expected utilization rates could impact financial flexibility. Alongside its domestic growth, CtrlS has announced plans for international expansion, specifically targeting markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, with a primary focus on Thailand.
Investors may monitor the execution timeline of these fiber networks and the progress of the 4.4 GW development pipeline. The critical factor for the company will be maintaining high capacity utilization as it adds new data centers and infrastructure to its portfolio in a competitive market.