Nokia has unveiled next‑generation shelves for its 1830 Photonic Service Switch that promise a step change in network efficiency and lifecycle resilience. The new carrier‑grade 1830 PSS‑hc models, including the PSS‑10hc and PSS‑4hc, are designed to slot into existing deployments without disruption, tripling density while cutting energy per bit by up to 60%. By accommodating the latest embedded and coherent optical engines and delivering as much as 12 Tb/s per slot, the platform helps operators meet surging traffic from cloud, AI, video and mobile, using fewer resources.

From a circular economy perspective, the seamless upgrade path is as important as the raw performance. Reusing chassis ecosystems and preserving operational frameworks avoids premature rip‑and‑replace, extends asset life, and reduces material throughput and embodied carbon. Front‑to‑back airflow and higher power headroom enable denser configurations within current footprints, improving watts per gigabit and aiding operators’ Scope 2 reductions while protecting prior investment.

With trials slated for late 2025 and commercial availability expected in Q2 2026, the 1830 PSS‑hc line signals a pragmatic route to greener transport networks: scale capacity, shrink power intensity, and prioritise backwards compatibility to keep equipment in service longer. If widely adopted, such incremental, interoperable upgrades could become a model for sustainable infrastructure, where growth in bandwidth no longer comes at the expense of higher energy and materials consumption.