SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 -- Cisco Systems (search for Cisco) has enhanced its Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) architecture to ease deployment of a wide range of business-focused and consumer-based services. The company has targeted one of the enhancements at FTTH and announced several deployments.
Cisco announced the availability of the Cisco ME 4924 Gigabit Ethernet Switch, a new single-rack-unit 10-Gbit/sec-enabled access aggregation switch that is part of the Cisco Ethernet Fiber to the Home (E-FTTH) line. The Cisco E-FTTH solution is part of the Cisco IP NGN architecture; the company recommends it as part of its intelligent ServiceFlex network layer design as a viable access alternative to PON approaches.
The Cisco E-FTTH products are aimed at helping improve end users' experience by offering ultra high-speed "quad-play" voice, video, data and mobility services over Cisco IP NGNs.
The Cisco end-to-end E-FTTH portfolio includes, but is not limited to:
- Cisco 7600 Series Routers for consumer and business service aggregation
- Cisco 4500 Series Switches and Cisco ME 4900 Series Switches for access aggregation;
- Cisco ME 3400 Ethernet Access Switches for multi-tenant apartment buildings
- Scientific Atlanta Model 90600 Optical Network Terminator (ONT) for home termination.
"Cisco's new Ethernet FTTH products are designed to help service providers move their residential quad-play services to a new level," said Michael Howard, principal analyst and co-founder of Infonetics Research, an international consultancy specializing in data networking and telecommunications. "The Cisco Ethernet FTTH product set provides for bandwidth scalability, flexibility in services that can be offered, and network resiliency, which will help to improve the quality of experience for residential end users."
By adopting Cisco IP NGN and deploying the Cisco ServiceFlex design, service providers can deliver innovative business and residential services over Carrier Ethernet to their customers with greater velocity, the company asserts. Service providers can also improve their operational and capital expenditure efficiencies while advancing the network technology and service control that they and their customers need for long-term business success.
Cisco also announced E-FTTH deployments. SureWest, the first telecom service provider to offer high-definition television (HDTV) programming and a Cisco Powered Network member, is enhancing its ability to develop and deliver advanced IP video services over an Ethernet FTTH network with the Cisco IP NGN architecture featuring Cisco 4500 Series Switches in the Sacramento, CA, area.
"We are committed to meeting customer demand for advanced telecommunications services," said Bill DeMuth, vice president and chief technology officer, SureWest Communications. "Using advanced technology to deliver these services over a single IP-based network lets us grow quickly and cost-effectively. Having an open-architected, standards-based solution that enables us to supply reliable, flexible and scalable services is critical, and Cisco meets that need."
UNET B.V., a provider of broadband services in the Netherlands, chose the Cisco E-FTTH line to help it deliver 1-Gbit/sec broadband voice, video (including high-definition TV), and data services over an optical fiber network to public buildings and not-for-profit organizations throughout the city of Almere in the Netherlands.
"Cisco gives us the versatility and quality-of-service capability to support true multiservice delivery, with voice and video, to consumers and businesses over the same Ethernet infrastructure," said Ger Bakker, director of technology at UNET. "Public sector organizations in Almere are already benefiting from centralized, shared services, such as IP telephony, data backup and storage, and remote video surveillance, delivered over symmetrical broadband connections of up to 2 Gbits/sec."
Visit Cisco Systems