ADTRAN expands cable MSO footprint via CommScope FTTH systems acquisition

ADTRAN, Inc., (NASDAQ:ADTN) has expanded its fiber to the premises (FTTP) activities through the acquisition of fiber access systems, technologies, and "service relationships" from subsidiaries of CommScope, Inc. (NASDAQ:COMM). The products and services are targeted at cable MSOs, which will complement ADTRAN's GPON-based FTTH offerings and success within the telco market.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The acquisition includes active EPON and 10G-EPON optical line terminal (OLT) and optical network unit (ONU) lines (see, for example, "CommScope to unveil 10G EPON OLT at INTX"). The products are certified by CableLabs for compliance with the organization's DOCSIS Provisioning of EPON (DPoE) specifications, which ensure EPON systems are compatible with the DOCSIS operating system common among cable operators (see "CableLabs preps EPON for MSO business services support"). The company also will acquire CommScope's RF over Glass (RFoG) line, which supports point-to-point fiber to the premises connections in a DOCSIS-friendly way. RFoG architectures are designed to be upgradeable to PON. ADTRAN says RFoG finds particular use in rural and low-density greenfield deployments.

ADTRAN also says it plans to integrate the newly acquired products into its Mosaic optical access SDN platform (see "ADTRAN Mosaic platform aims at software-defined access networks").

For CommScope, the sale enables the company to focus on its cabling and related products, which remain applicable to the cable MSO space. CommScope fortified its portfolio in this area last year through the acquisition of TE Connectivity's broadband business (see "CommScope consummates TE Connectivity Broadband Network Solutions buy").

"As a global leader in fiber optics for wired and wireless networks, CommScope will continue providing passive PON solutions to the MSO and service provider market, including its optical closures, optical terminals and drops, and other passive accessories, along with its robust portfolio of innovative fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) offerings," explained Jim Hughes, CommScope's vice president of North American MSO sales. "We believe ADTRAN's acquisition of these active fiber product lines will provide existing customers and prospects with the R&D, professional services, and customer support structure they need as they move their broadband networks forward."

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