CommScope, Inc. says it plans to expand its existing fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) offerings with a line of PON equipment that will support both EPON and GPON architectures.

The company already offers RF over glass (RFoG) products (see “CommScope's FTTH system works with existing HFC networks”) and will debut the new PON equipment next month during the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. However, CommScope expects the products to appeal to markets beyond cable MSOs, including rural communities, electric cooperatives, municipalities, and governments.

The PON line will include optical line terminals (OLTs), optical network units (ONUs), system-management software and installation components. Features of the various components include:

• High-throughput OLTs with both 1G and 10G capabilities.
• ONUs in single- and multi-user and small form factor pluggable formats. The ONUs will have Ethernet, power over Ethernet, and voice ports, along with WiFi capabilities. Software will perform system backups and upgrades as well as real-time fault monitoring.
  

“Technology is continuing to progress at a rapid pace and operators must keep up with their customers’ increasing demand for bandwidth,” said Ric Johnsen, senior vice president, broadband, CommScope. “Our new PON solution provides an alternative technology for operators to deploy competitive Ethernet services to small- and medium-sized business and improved bandwidth to rural areas. This launch demonstrates how CommScope continues to expand its ability to deliver more end-to-end, scalable access networks to the industry.”

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