EXFO unveils all-in-one optical and Ethernet testing module

Nov. 11, 2013
EXFO Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO, TSX: EXF) has released the FTB-700G Series of optical and Ethernet testing modules.

EXFO Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO, TSX: EXF) has released the FTB-700G Series of optical and Ethernet testing modules.

The test and measurement equipment vendor says the FTB-700G Series is the first product designed to address the needs of today's mobile network field technicians. Housed in the FTB-1 handheld field platform, the new FTB-700G Series integrates all the functionalities needed to effectively validate, activate, and troubleshoot fiber-based mobile infrastructures and the services that run over them, EXFO asserts.

To increase efficiency and coverage, operators have begun to deploy new technologies and network configurations, including packet-based transmission, fiber-to-the-tower (FTTT) mobile backhaul, and fiber-to-the-antenna (FTTA), in addition to small cells and remote radio heads (RRH). As a result, field technicians need to develop expertise in various fields and be equipped to face any situation or technology, EXFO says. As fiber and Ethernet become the technologies of choice for mobile network operators, EXFO adds that it makes sense that today's field technicians have access to the best test equipment from both the optical and Ethernet worlds to speed up and simplify the test process.

"Improving customer experience while keeping operational expenses under control is a major concern for mobile network operators," said Claudio Mazzuca, vice-president of EXFO's transport and service assurance division. "By offering a solution adapted to their reality and challenges, EXFO is empowering today's field technicians to become experts in any given field while ensuring that the job is always done fast and right the first time."

The FTB-700G Series comprises a variety of optical tools, including a power meter and a visual fault locator, the EXFO’s iOLM OTDR-based technology, the next-generation FIP-400B Series fiber inspection probes, as well as an array of packet transport testing functionalities up to 10G, e.g., EtherSAM (ITU-T Y.1564), SyncE/1588 PTP, CPRI, OBSAI, and SONET/SDH for complete validation of all SLA parameters.

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