May 31, 2005 Paris, France -- Alcatel today introduced its Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) platform, which the company says is aimed at operators who are using or considering FTTP for triple play service delivery. Based on ITU standards and the latest proposed specifications by the Full Service Access Network (FSAN) working group of the ITU, the company's 7342 ISAM FTTU platform employs the architecture of its current ISAM product family to enable GPON access, providing subscriber rates up to 2.5 Gbit/sec, according to the company.
The company says that through adherence to the latest ITU GPON standards (G.984.x) and optimization for IP convergence, the platform adds an additional "last mile" option to its existing, end-to-end triple play platform.
"The 7342 ISAM FTTU lets operators leverage their large installed base of Alcatel's broadband management systems, and offers a timely response to U.S. RBOC interest in making a gradual transition from BPON to GPON, particularly as they accelerate triple play rollout," asserts Dave Dunphy, principal analyst of optical infrastructure at Current Analysis.
Alcatel says the platform is scalable to over 2,000 users per shelf, and incorporates the same management and field practices as its 7302 ISAM DSLAM and 7330 ISAM fiber-to-the-node platforms. Additionally, the GPON platform enables operators who have already deployed the company's 7340 BPON products with a migration path to higher bandwidth systems, according to the company.
"The 7342 ISAM FTTU enables providers to deliver the latest broadband services in a scaleable manner, with minimal impact to ongoing field practices," concludes Michel Rahier, head of Alcatel's global fixed communication activities.
The company says platform will be demonstrated in an end-to-end IPTV configuration at Broadband World Forum Asia 2005 and at Supercomm 2005.