JANUARY 9, 2008 -- Verizon (search for Verizon) claims it is now deploying GPON technology within its FiOS network. The new electronics can increase the line-rate bandwidth on the its fiber-to-the-premises (search for ) network by four times downstream to the customer and eight times upstream back to the network, says the company. This provides the capability for future enhancements to its FiOS Internet and FiOS TV products as new applications are developed and as customers demand more bandwidth.
Mark Wegleitner, Verizon Telecom's senior vice president-technology, says that Verizon has already started to deploy GPON (search for GPON) broadly across its FiOS system. The new equipment is being used in communities where Verizon is building FTTP for the first time.
"Already, our all-fiber network is proving that it can deliver faster Internet speeds," reports Wegleitner. "GPON electronics position us for the next level of even faster Internet speeds and even more interactive FiOS TV with new features. The GPON deployment also illustrates the future-proof aspects of FiOS," he contends. "We can use the same fiber network we use today but enhance the speed and capacity with new electronics in our central offices and at the customer premises."
Verizon has begun initial deployment of GPON in the following states: California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Texas.
Verizon says this announcement builds upon the initial announcement made at OFC/NFOEC last March and follows the successful initial field deployments of GPON in Kirklyn, PA; Lewisville, TX; and Hingham, MA. Thus far, Verizon has been deploying BPON technology.
"Both BPON and now GPON give us all the headroom we need to continue evolving our products to meet growing customer demand for more bandwidth, both downstream and upstream," reports Wegleitner. "However, moving to technologies like GPON helps ensure that we stay ahead of the competition."
Verizon is building its FTTP network in 16 states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. FiOS Internet is now available in all 16Istates, and FiOS TV is available in 13: California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, and Oregon.
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