APRIL 8, 2008 -- Occam Networks Inc. (search for Occam Networks), supplier of Ethernet and IP-based loop carrier equipment to telecommunications companies, has created the FTTH Quick Start Program (FQS) to enable telecommunications service providers to quickly and efficiently turn up fiber-based deployments, especially those using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for VoIP.
"Our telco customers have a new solution to facilitate rapid and successful fiber installations, as well as provide their technicians a way to efficiently get up to speed on the specifics of provisioning and maintaining a fiber and/or SIP deployment," reports Russ Sharer, Occam's vice president of marketing. "New solutions like FQS are what telcos should expect from Occam as part of our ongoing efforts to provide the most rapid 'time to revenue.'"
Occam is introducing FTTH Quick Start in three different packages, each customizable to a telco's specific needs. The Basic Package includes an Occam technical support engineer working in person at the customer site and assisting telco staff in the basic installation and configuration of the first optical network terminals (ONTs). The engineer will also provide hands-on training on optical line terminal (OLT) provisioning; ONT configuration scripts, including SIP end point provisioning; and DHCP management.
For telcos new to deploying fiber, FQS is available with an Outside Plant (OSP) package that may be added to the Basic Package. In the OSP Package, an Occam field engineer will work onsite and assist telco technicians with fiber installation, qualification, and turn up. This may include activities such as fiber splicing, light meter usage, ONT mounting, and line qualification.
"Occam's FTTH Quick Start program has been very useful as Farmers Telephone E deploys fiber into its network for the first time," confirms David Garrett, central office/network operations manager of Farmers Telephone Cooperative, Alabama's largest member-owned telephone cooperative. "The Occam team spent time with us on-site, walked us through a wide range of installation, configuration, and provisioning details, and helped us get our upgraded network turned up quickly and smoothly," he reports.
Occam also offers a DHCP Plus Package. Telcos can add this to the Basic Package for engineers who would like extra training time spent on DHCP and ONT provisioning. Occam will provide a technical support engineer to assist the telco's staff with the installation and configuration of its DHCP/TFTP servers. This Package will assist telcos in turning up new or reviving older DHCP/TFTP servers and customizing them to fit specific needs, as well as cover how to set up and maintain a fiber-deployed network. The DHCP Plus Package also includes the installation and set up of the ONT Configuration Manager (OCM). Occam's technical support engineer will install OCM onto the telco's DHCP/TFTP server and demonstrate how to easily manage the ONT network.
"As telecommunications service providers roll out new service bundles, which include IPTV, HDTV, Video on Demand, network-based gaming, and other bandwidth-intensive applications, their network configurations will invariably become more complex," notes Erik M. Keith, senior analyst for Broadband Infrastructure at the analystIfirm Current Analysis. "Occam's FTTH Quick Start program is a strong example of the increasing support access equipment providers will have to provide to ensure long-term satisfaction of their telco customers. Occam's 'time to revenue' focus is highly attractive to telcos introducing advanced broadband services," he adds.
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