Chunghwa Telecom launches G.fast service

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) and Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom say they have collaborated to launch the first commercial deployment of G.fast broadband access network technology.

G.fast uses an architecture called fiber to the distribution point (FTTdp) that leverages existing copper plant for customer connections. Chunghwa will use GPON for the fiber-optic network connection to the G.fast distribution point.

Fiber to the building (FTTB) will be the application for G.fast in Chunghwa Telecom's network, according to Alcatel-Lucent sources. The service provider will run fiber to the building, install an optical network terminal (ONT) on the premises that will act as a G.fast distribution point, then use G.fast to support services to individual tenants using the building's existing internal wiring.

Chunghwa Telecom expects to begin offering G.fast-supported services by the end of the year.

To support the deployment, Alcatel-Lucent will supply its 7368 Intelligent Service Access Manager (ISAM) Optical Network Terminals, 7368 Intelligent Services Access Manager (ISAM) CPE with integrated reverse power (to power the G.fast distribution points from the customer premises), the 5520 Access Management System, and the 7342 Intelligent ISAM and 7360 ISAM GPON products. The company has supplied GPON gear to Chunghwa Telecom for several years (see "Chunghwa Telecom using Alcatel-Lucent for GPON").

The G.fast roll out is part of a nationwide FTTx deployment for the service provider that targets residential and business customers.

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