EXFO Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO) (TSX: EXF) says it has won a contract against competition from Openreach to supply optical test heads and test access switching from its cloud-based Nova Fiber remote fiber test system. The test equipment vendor says that use of the Nova Fiber platform will enable Openreach to improve the success of its Full Fibre broadband infrastructure deployments as well as monitor performance once the new fiber broadband infrastructure is in use.
Openreach, BT's broadband infrastructure independent subsidiary, plans to pass 20 million homes with fiber to the premises (FTTP) infrastructure by the mid-to-late part of this decade (as always, “assuming it has the right investment conditions”; see "BT to accelerate FTTP deployment plans"). Within this initiative Openreach expects to pass 4.5 million premises by the end of this March. The fiber broadband network is open, meaning any UK service provider can leverage it to serve customers the FTTP network will pass.
“We know that now more than ever that being connected matters. We're convinced that our new Full Fibre network can play a crucial role in keeping the nation connected. This year, our build has been gathering pace and momentum, and we're determined to match that rapid speed of deployment with the highest standards of build quality build and customer service,” commented Peter Bell, director, network technology at Openreach.
“EXFO will help us get there,” Bell continued. “As a long-term Openreach partner, EXFO was selected thanks to its proven ability to provide fast, automated qualification of fiber builds, and for its unique iOLM OTDR technology. We're committed to working with the best-in-class to maintain our position as the UK's leading Full Fibre builder and we're excited to lead the way as we continue to deliver high-quality network connections to homes and businesses across the UK."
"Openreach is an early mover in adopting permanent fiber monitoring technology, which will eventually cover all households in the UK. Currently, the FTTH/B penetration rate in the UK stands at 18%, and Openreach has an ambitious plan to build out Full Fibre to millions of households and businesses,” added Wim te Niet, vice president, sales – EMEA at EXFO. “We see a similar wave in other key European markets like Germany. I believe network operators across Europe will soon follow Openreach's lead to ensure first-time-right installations, reduce turn-up failures, and substantially reduce truck rolls for service calls. As for markets with high FTTH/B penetration rates, telecom operators are finding they need sophisticated automated monitoring tools to ensure superior customer experience. EXFO's innovative Nova Fiber solution gives them these abilities."
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