Clearfield, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLFD) has unveiled the FieldSmart Fiber Distribution Hub (FDH) 144-port cabinet. The port count is smaller than provided by previous FieldSmart FDHs, which enables customers to meet the need for fiber-fed services in smaller footprints more efficiently. The new addition extends use of the FDH line to a wider variety of outside plant PON and cross-connect applications, says Clearfield.
The FieldSmart144-portcabinet augments FTTx deployments by offering an interconnect environment from the feeder network through the passive optical splitter to the distribution network. Additionally, this cabinet positions network planners to gradually increase PON deployments as they extend deeper into areas that are not densely populated, maintains the company.
The smaller port cabinet allows providers to leverage a compact, affordable cabinet that uses the Clearview Blue modular building block cassette, which Clearfield says all of its FieldSmart PON cabinets utilize. With the Clearview Blue Cassette, fiber is deployed in increments of 12 to enable users to scale from 12 ports to full capacity, enhancing capital investment with layout of the network or subscriber revenue.
"Operators today are looking at an increasingly diverse set of target markets and need products that help them quickly and cost effectively deploy fiber throughout the outside plant," said Johnny Hill, Clearfield's chief operating officer and co-founder. "At Clearfield, our mission is to provide a comprehensive solution set that enables customers to deliver fiber services over any network, to any customer, in almost any environment."
The FieldSmart FDH 144-port cabinet broadens Clearfield's building block design to integrate a new modular shell design in which the provider can repair or replace a damaged cabinet, without the need to disrupt existing service. For further deployed fiber protection, the cabinet includes a new pyramid shaped roof/solar shield. Options for mounting include pole or pad/vault mounted with either a 4-inch or 12-inch riser.
According to Ovum, a rise in the access equipment market is being influenced by FTTX PON equipment, giving competitive bandwidth to residential customers, as well as support for business customers and MBH/MFH (mobile backhaul and mobile fronthaul) applications.
"Carriers are looking to push fiber deeper, expanding into new markets while customers seek higher-bandwidth services and leverage advances in Smart Home technologies," said Julie Kunstler, Ovum's principal analyst, network infrastructure and software. "Delivering products that enable service providers to lower both the upfront costs and ongoing management and maintenance costs, provide competitive advantages, enabling carriers to more easily expand the range and reach of their FTTx deployments."
The FDH 144-port cabinet was designed and tested to Telcordia GR-326, and is Telcordia GR-20, GR 487, GR-1221, and GR-1209 compliant, Clearfield asserts.
Earlier this year, Clearfield acquired Calix Inc.'s (NYSE: CALX) outdoor powered cabinet product line in its pursuit of market expansion (see "Clearfield buys Calix's outdoor powered cabinet line"). Sources at the Clearfield booth at this week's Fiber Connect event in Nashville indicated that the company has aggressive plans to extend both its passive and active cabinet lines.
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