Calix offers G.fast for MDUs

Broadband access network equipment developer Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) has introduced three platforms that leverage G.fast technology to support high-speed broadband service delivery over copper networks. The company believes is E3-16F sealed distribution point unit (SDPU) node, 870F MDU services delivery node, and 844F GigaCenter, will find most of their use in fiber to the building (FTTB) applications such as multiple dwelling unit (MDU), multi-tenant unit (MTU), and "high density" single-family unit installations.

The E3-16F is hardened and sealed for outdoor installations, while the 870F is designed for indoor environments. Both DPUs are designed to leverage GPON-based networks on the fiber side initially, with the ability to support point-to-point Ethernet fiber-optic broadband networks (and auto-detecting which one is being used) coming in a future release, Calix says. Both will support up to 16 G.fast ports designed to supply what Calix described as "close to" 1 Gbps of aggregate (upstream and downstream combined) bandwidth.

The 844F GigaCenter resides in the customer location (apartment or office) and terminates the G.fast signal. It will support both hard-wired and Carrier Class Wi-Fi connectivity in the customer's location. Operators may leverage Calix's Compass software for visibility and control of devices in each unit and throughout the building.

The G.fast systems also support the company's Persistent Management Agent (PMA) and Persistent Management Agent Aggregation (PMAA) software to provide software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) capabilities designed to ease provisioning, configuration, and management.

Calix's focus on MDU/MTU applications for its new G.fast line makes sense, according to Teresa Mastrangelo, principal and founder of market research and analysis firm Broadbandtrends LLC.

"Many service providers struggle with the logistics and economic challenge of deploying fiber within MDU environments because of difficult access and notoriously high churn," Mastrangelo explained via Calix's press release for the products. "G.fast has emerged as an ideal technology for bridging this gap by matching the ability to deliver near gigabit speeds over the short copper loops found in most MDU environments with the reality that overlaying the twisted copper pair infrastructure in these buildings can be difficult and expensive. Many think of MDUs as a niche market, but they actually represent the majority of subscribers worldwide."

Geoff Burke, senior director, corporate marketing at Calix, reports the company has engaged in G.fast plugfests and that customer trials of the new systems should begin this summer. He predicts volume sales will begin in 2016.

For more information on FTTx equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.