Sckipio, iPhotonix partner for G.fast NFV

G.fast semiconductor startup Sckipio Technologies and iPhotonix, which specializes in fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) hardware as well as software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV)technologies, have partnered to combine their specialties. The companies say they will work to enable the iPhotonix Virtual Network (iVN) to fully interoperate with Sckipio's G.fast chips to ease deployment and management of G.fast distribution point units (DPUs).

Sckipio was the first company to offer DPU and CPE G.fast silicon (see "G.fast chipsets from Sckipio Technologies debut") for applications in which carriers wish to boost data rates beyond the capabilities of VDSL2 with vectoring without moving to a full fiber to the home (FTTH) architecture. iPhotonix, meanwhile, strengthened its NFV play in optical access earlier this year with the acquisition of Netsocket (see "iPhotonix buys Netsocket NFV assets, launches optical access platform"). It launched the iVN earlier this month.

"Service providers around the globe are moving toward gigabit deployments and FTTdp with G.fast offers many with an elegant solution," said Greg Whelan, principal analyst, ACG Research. "Service providers are looking toward virtualization, including in the access network, to address real business drivers beyond data rates such as reducing opex and management complexities."

The two companies are members of the Broadband Forum (BBF) and participate in the BBF management working group. They therefore say their combined offerings with conform to the BBF management standard as soon as it is finalized.

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