Calix doubles E7-2 GPON port density

FTTx equipment developer Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) has added the GPON-8 card as an option to its Calix E7-2 modular Ethernet Service Access Platform (ESAP). Two GPON-8 cards can fit in the E7-2 chassis, which enables the 1RU system to support 16 GPON ports, as well as eight Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) ports, and “multiple” 10GbE uplink ports. [Our earlier version of this story wondered why something named "GPON-8" would support 16 GPON ports. We missed the fact that the E7-2 can hold two such cards. Sorry about that.]

Besides doubling the E7-2's GPON port density, the GPON-8 retains the E7-2’s incremental upgrade capabilities, which enable operators to add lines via pluggable optical interface modules (OIMs) on each card slot. A fully loaded E7-2 can support broadband service speeds of up to 1 Gbps to more 1000 subscribers, Calix says.

The new card already has at least one fan. "Calix continues to provide us with new innovations that not only drive costs out of our existing fiber access deployments, but also enable new service revenue opportunities across our fiber access subscriber base," said Gary Johnson, CEO of Paul Bunyan Communications. "The GPON-8 card in the E7-2 form factor gives us the right combination of high capacity, density, and flexibility to cost-effectively address residential and business subscriber growth in our network, as well as the ability to aggregate services from copper-fed deployments we have at MDUs, mobile home parks, and even campgrounds. For us, it's all about constantly improving to provide our subscribers with the best possible broadband service experience, and Calix continually provides us with powerful new tools to get us there effectively and efficiently."

"Fiber access deployment has transitioned from a 'nice-to-have' to a 'must-have' service for many service providers as they seek out new opportunities for service expansion and differentiation," said Robert Balsamo, CALIX vice president of product strategy. "With the latest additions to the Calix Unified Access portfolio, we are providing our customers with the tools to significantly improve the economics of fiber access deployment and enable the necessary changes for true business transformation. The combination of the GPON-8 card and the E7-2 is unique in the industry and, along with a constant stream of new Calix fiber access innovations, highlights the key advantages that Calix customers have when competing in an increasingly competitive marketplace."

For more information on FTTx equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.