EXFO Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO), (TSX: EXF) says it will supply its MaxTester 635G (MAX-635G) G.fast test system to Openreach as it deploys G.fast. BT's local network business unit also can use the test equipment to support the installation and maintenance of VDSL2 circuits, EXFO says.
G.fast promises to support gigabit broadband delivery via twisted-pair and coax connections, both within buildings and in the outside plant (see, for example, "Sckipio touts G.fast Dynamic Time Assignment advances"). Openreach will first use the MAX-635G to support a G.fast pilot project in which the network infrastructure provider will connect 25,000 premises in Cherry Hinton, Cambridgeshire, and Gillingham, Kent (see "Openreach taps Huawei, Nokia for G.fast roll-out").
"G.fast builds on our existing investment in fiber and, after initial trials, our G.fast pilot will see us bringing ultrafast speeds to 25,000 premises in Cherry Hinton and Gillingham in ‘16/'17. EXFO will supply the first batch of testers, which means we are able to test and verify our ultrafast network to a high standard," confirmed Peter Bell, director, network portfolio, at Openreach.
EXFO touts the MAX-635G as the first in-field handheld tester designed specifically for ultrafast broadband applications. It supports ITU-T G.9700 and G.9701 recommendations as well as current VDSL2 and ADSL2+ technologies. It is also compatible with the latest VDSL2-35b and G.fast technologies as well as previous ADSL, ADSL2+, and VDSL2-8/12/17/30 interfaces, according to the company.
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