Buckeye CableSystem nears launch of RFoG FTTH trial

FEBRUARY 19, 2010 By Stephen Hardy -- Ohio cable MSO Buckeye CableSystem says it is about to connect the first home in a new development with trial fiber to the home (FTTH) infrastructure. The carrier will use RF over glass (RFoG) technology (see "MSOs sift through the 'RFoG' at SCTE's Cable-Tec Expo").

The home is located in the Lakeside at Fallen Timbers development in Maumee, OH. The development currently has three finished homes; the development plans a total of 30 villas, 40 townhouses, and 250 apartment units. Buckeye CableSystem says it will serve all of these units via RFoG FTTH as part of the trial.

Alloptic will supply the RFoG customer premises units (see "Alloptic delivers high-performance return-path receiver for RFoG").

While Buckeye CableSystems relies on hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) infrastructure, the cable MSO also has an interest in the potential benefits of FTTH. “This is just part of our ongoing system and equipment upgrades to offer the latest technology when it becomes economically viable,” said Joe Jensen, executive vice president and CTO of Buckeye CableSystem.

The carrier reports that FTTH construction costs in the Lakeside development run about 20 percent higher than a traditional HFC approach. However, Buckeye expects FTTH will supply “a more reliable, stronger signal,” in the words of a press release, as well as lower maintenance costs and ease system upgrades.

“This fiber network could be upgraded to provide data speeds in excess of 1 Gbps,” Jensen said.

Buckeye CableSystem also has an FTTH trial in place at an existing subdivision in Perrysburg, OH (see “Buckeye Cablevision selects Kabel-X USA for FTTH trials in Ohio”).

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