Monday, September 28, 2009

Verizon CTO: All-Fiber is a Game Changer

"The real opportunity of a fiber-access network is created by the seamless interconnection with our wireless broadband and global IP networks," said Dick Lynch, Verizon executive vice president and chief technology officer, speaking at the Fiber to the Home Conference and Expo in Houston.


In the five years since beginning its FiOS rollout in Keller, Texas, Verizon's FTTH network has grown to where it will pass 15 million homes and businesses by year-end. The network delivers access for all its customers to Internet service at up to 50 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upstream, and TV service with about 120 high-definition (HD) channels.


Lynch said sales penetration rates for FiOS Internet and TV are already 28 percent and 25 percent, respectively. More than 300,000 new customers signed on to each of the services in the second quarter, bringing the totals to 3.1 million customers for FiOS Internet and 2.5 million for FiOS TV.


Lynch called on the networking industry to keep optical technologies moving forward. He said development of standards for emerging services must be expedited, citing the need to reduce the standards for 3D video from about a dozen to one. He said energy efficiency must be another priority. Verizon is migrating its networks to IMS and he called on the industry's assistance in developing a robust set of complementary CPE. Lynch also called for new PON systems capable of delivering strong signals out to 40 kilometers and beyond. This requires the use of better PON cards with improved optics as well as other innovations.
http://www.verizon.com