MARCH 9, 2009 -- Hitachi Telecom USA Inc. (search Lightwave for Hitachi Telecom) and Pacific Broadband Networks (PBN) have formed a Technology Partnership to develop Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) equipment for Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) network operators.

The first product from this collaboration, designed and specified by Hitachi, is the Hitachi Node+Zero RF over Glass (RFoG) module, a single-fiber FTTP system that leverages existing headend and customer premises infrastructure. The Node+Zero module, introduced in June 2008, is transparent to existing DOCSIS and CMTS protocols and management systems and accommodates RF headend and customer premises equipment (CPE) combinations from virtually any manufacturer, claim Hitachi representatives.

RFoG parallels the current HFC evolution to "fiber-deep" architecture, but extends the fiber-optic path to the subscriber's premises via a passive optical network (PON) outside plant architecture. PON minimizes operational expense for powering and network balancing, says Hitachi, and the combination of RFoG and PON offers a very flexible deployment model that allows operators to closely match network improvements to revenue potential. The system provides more consistent service to existing customers, while providing market growth potential for higher-ARPU small and medium business (SMB) customers.

"This technology alliance combines Hitachi's long-term worldwide leadership in PON technology--dating to 1994--with PBN's expertise as a manufacturer of equipment for cable TV operators," explains Rick Schiavinato, Hitachi Telecom vice president, sales and marketing. "We are already seeing significant market traction with the Node+Zero RFoG module."

"PBN is pleased to collaborate with Hitachi in this alliance," adds Peter Saglietti, CTO director of PBN. "The combined product development, technology, marketing, and sales capabilities of the two companies allow us to offer compelling products and solutions that will make a positive contribution to the business success of cable TV service providers."

Both Hitachi and PBN are standards program members of SCTE and actively participate in the Interface Practices Subcommittee (IPS) Working Group 5 discussions relative to the RFoG standards. The Node+Zero module is compatible with the RFoG standards initiative currently underway within the SCTE standards program.

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