RAD adds GPON, VDSL2 support to Carrier Ethernet demarcation

Communications equipment vendor RAD says it has added support of GPON and VDSL2 (including bonding/vectoring) to its Layer 2/Layer 3 demarcation devices and ETX-2 and ETX-2i routers. The new modules add to the platforms' existing support of active fiber, SDHSL, and PDH.

RAD offers the new capabilities via a pair of modules for the MEF CE 2.0-certified routers and Carrier Ethernet demarcation devices. The GPON module enables the transmission of up to 1 Gbps via a passive optical network (PON) infrastructure. The VDSL2 module supports data rates of up to 400 Mbps over bonded copper links while providing the same service level agreement (SLA) guarantees typical of fiber-optic networks, the company asserts.

"VDSL2 is a logical alternative for supplying high bandwidth for large business customers and mobile backhaul networks in areas unserved or underserved by fiber, while GPON enables fiber to be utilized economically where it does exist," said Ulik Broida, RAD's vice president of marketing and business development, via a press release. "With these modules, service providers will be able to reach more end-customers and markets that until now have been untapped, while guaranteeing quality of service (QoS) and simplifying their operations."

"GPON has been highly successful in many markets as an access technology for both FTTH and as backhaul for fast copper such as VDSL2," added Simon Sherrington, contributing analyst with Heavy Reading, in the same release. "Both technologies will continue to be important for many years in business as well as residential deployments as bandwidth demands grow and operators look to leverage the capacity of installed copper and fiber plant and reach new customers."

For more information on Carrier Ethernet equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.