APRIL 2, 2007 -- Wave7 Optics (search for Wave7 Optics) has been issed US Patent 7,190,901 for its FTTH RF return technology. This patent, as well as other RF return patents and applications by Wave7 Optics, helps protect both their standards-based Trident7 and original Last Mile Link FTTH systems. Support of RF return allows FTTH operators to use cable set tops, with the economies of scale and the mature applications developed for cable television, according to the company.
"Wave7 Optics has always provided the most robust video solutions for FTTH systems," said Jack Bryant, vice president of sales for Wave7 Optics. "Our recent patent further strengthens our leadership position in the delivery of video over passive optical networks. Although we fully support IPTV in our systems, RF broadcast remains of key strategic importance due to the immense volume of RF televisions that proliferate in the market today. Since we are the only FTTH equipment provider supporting both of the modern FTTH standards (IEEE 802.3ah EFM and ITU-T G.984 GPON), and since we give our customers the option of using either or both broadcast video and IPTV, our customers have the freedom to make the best and most economical technology choices now and in the future."
Most of Wave7 Optics' customers, of which there are now approximately 100 across six continents, are sending at least some of their video programming by broadcast.
"One of the primary reasons that Jackson Energy Authority (JEA) selected Wave7 Optics as our network technology provider was their unique RF return capability," said Kim Kersey, senior vice president of telecommunications for JEA. "We recognized the competitive value of offering an RF return video product to our large embedded base of traditional cable television customers. Wave7 Optics' superior RF return solution permits JEA to fulfill current customer demand while also positioning our operation for an easy transition to IP video in the coming years."
JEA started deploying their Wave7 Optics FTTH network three years ago, and they currently have approximately 30,000 passings and 15,000 subscribers with RF return.
"Every FTTH system we have ever produced supports broadcast video," said Jim Farmer, CTO for Wave7 Optics. "Our suite of proven RF return technologies allows network operators to offer every feature that cable TV operators can offer, such as pay-per-view, video-on-demand, high definition, switched digital video, advertising insertion, caller ID on the TV, picture-in-picture, digital video recording capability, and many other features. Furthermore, we achieve this while using any of the proven set top systems and control technology developed since the beginning of digital transmission on cable, including SCTE 55-1, SCTE 55-2, and DOCSIS. Our roots in the cable television industry give us the lead in FTTH video delivery."
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