Frontier Communications will deploy G.fast technology from Nokia to deliver high-speed broadband services to residential customers living in apartment and other multi-dwelling units (MDUs) in Connecticut. The company has embarked on a state-wide infrastructure improvement program (see, for example, "Frontier deploys GPON in Hartford for business, residential services").
The G.fast deployments will be part of a fiber to the building (FTTB) architecture that will see fiber terminated within the MDU and G.fast handling service delivery to individual subscriber living units using the copper cabling already installed in the building.
"It's no secret that multi-technology strategies which maximize the use of both fiber and copper are effective in helping operators quickly role out new ultra-broadband services. This is particularly true in some cases like inside an apartment building, where more traditional Fiber-to-the-Home strategies can be very challenging to deploy," explains Federico Guillén, president of Nokia's Fixed Networks Business Group. "With the advancements that have been made in today's copper technologies, operators can now offer fiber-like speeds to enhance the way customers experience their broadband services."
Nokia has conducted a range of G.fast demonstrations around the world and has announced Telekom Austria subsidiary A1 as a customer (see "A1 Telekom Austria taps Alcatel-Lucent for broadband network upgrade, including G.fast"). "Nokia's field-proven G.fast solution will help Frontier quickly bring ultra-broadband access to customers by using the existing copper twisted pair wiring that is often found in apartment buildings," said Steve Gable, executive vice president and CTO at Frontier. "Without it, we'd have to drill holes and pull fiber into each apartment unit we serve, a time consuming and challenging process that can be frustrating for customers. Nokia's solution allows us to deliver new enhanced services without ever having to enter the place of residence."
Frontier acquired AT&T's local wireline, broadband, and video operations in Connecticut in 2014 (see "FCC blesses Frontier buy of AT&T's Connecticut wireline business").
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