CenturyLink uses Calix systems in Omaha gigabit FTTH pilot

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) has revealed that it has supplied its E7-2 Ethernet Service Access Platform (ESAP) and 700GE family of optical network terminals (ONTs) to CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) for the carrier’s gigabit fiber to the home (FTTH) pilot in Omaha, NE.

CenturyLink announced the trial this past May (see “CenturyLink targets Omaha for 1-Gbps FTTP network pilot”). The U.S. Tier 1 carrier hopes to serve as many as 48,000 homes and businesses in Omaha with symmetrical 1-Gbps services by the end of next month. The network will be based on GPON technology.

"Providing our customers with gigabit services 100 times faster than the average American download speed gives them the freedom to leverage the power of the Internet without bandwidth constraints," said Danny Pate, vice president and general manager of CenturyLink - Nebraska. "We are excited about the opportunities this Calix-enabled network has introduced to Omaha."

"The gigabit trial in Omaha is a great opportunity for CenturyLink to provide the businesses and residents in the pilot area a leap forward in broadband technology," added Matt Beal, CenturyLink CTO and executive vice president of corporate strategy and product development. "With the help of Calix, we look forward to seeing what our customers will do with their gig and how it provides us a competitive advantage."

In addition to the FTTH systems, CenturyLink will use the Calix Compass Flow Analyze software as a service application to both measure usage trends as well as to optimize service performance. Ericsson will provide professional services expertise to the project as well.

"We have seen gigabit deployments capture the attention of service providers around the world, as they examine the impacts and opportunities that these super-charged networks bring to the communities in which they are deployed, and to the service providers that deploy them," said John Colvin, senior vice president of North America sales and marketing at Calix. "With CenturyLink's bold gigabit network pilot in Omaha, we are seeing the promise of broadband unfold before our eyes. We are excited to be working with CenturyLink in Omaha as they leverage this gigabit network to deliver an entirely new level of broadband experience."

For more information on FTTx systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.