FTTH NASHVILLE COVERAGE AT A GLANCE - Broadband Properties

Nashville conference 

A Guide 

to 

FTTH Nashville 

FTTH NASHVILLE COVERAGE AT A GLANCE 

Featured Nashville Exhibitors .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 38 

Companies to Meet in Nashville.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 46 

News from Featured Exhibitors........................................... | 48 

Schedule At-A-Glance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 59 

Exhibitor Booth Guide.................................................... | 93 

Linking Communities at the Speed of Light by Joe Savage. ............... | 94 

Q&A with Mike Render: The Growth Fantastic a BBP Staff Report. ......... | 96 

August/September 2008 | www.broadbandproperties.com | BROADBAND PROPERTIES | 37


Featured nashville exhibitors 

ADC 

Booth #413 

ADC has been a global communications 

network infrastructure provider for over 

75 years, delivering a broad range of highquality 

products and services to its public 

network and enterprise customers around the globe. ADC is 

headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, with international 

facilities and a network of distribution partners in 150 countries, 

in all regions of the world. Its best-in-class manufacturing 

operations in the US, Mexico, Germany, Australia, China and 

India provide unsurpassed service to the company’s international 

customer base. 

ADC’s comprehensive communications network infrastructure 

solutions and professional services support wireline, wireless, 

cable, broadcast and enterprise networks to enable highspeed 

Internet, data, video, and voice services to residential, 

business and mobile subscribers. ADC’s complete line of Omni- 

Reach FTTx and Next Generation Network fiber solutions enable 

the implementation of fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks for 

central office, distribution, access and MDU/CPE applications. To 

learn more about ADC, visit www.adc.com. 

ADC’s OmniReach Rapid Fiber System is designed to 

eliminate the unique challenges posed by today’s Multiple 

Dwelling Unit (MDU) buildings, when deploying FTTX networks. 

MDUs present service providers with diverse challenges 

such as varying cable pathways and distances between logical 

distribution points, demanding installation schedules and increased 

quality risks due to splicing. This system is designed 

specifically to assist service providers when deploying MDU 

optical fiber distribution networks for a variety of architectures 

– and do so in less time and with less total cost on a consistent, 

high-quality basis for every building. ADC’s Rapid Fiber system 

is the ultimate plug-and-play solution for delivering fast, 

durable and reliable service for mid- and high-rise MDUs and 

is available in multiple configurations to meet the unique requirements 

of each building. 

The system encompasses the following products: 

Rapid Indoor Fiber Distribution Hub 3000i 

Rapid MDU Collector Enclosure 

Rapid Fiber Distribution Terminal 

Advanced Media Technologies 

Booth #326 

AMT introduces new RFOG 

solution: Designed by PBN as 

a targeted fiber-to-the-premises 

solution for cable TV operators, 

the Hitachi Node+Zero module is 

compatible with the emerging SCTE RFOG (RF Over Glass) 

initative, allowing CATV operators to leverage existing headend 

equipment and ultimately migrate to FTTH (GePON or 

GPON) on a targeted basis. The Node+Zero RFOG module 

modulates the return path signal from any RF set-top box or 

DOCSIS cable modem into fiber at either 1310 nm or 1590 

nm. The module also provides a 1550 nm CATV receiver with 

a full forward path frequency response up to 1 GHz. CWDM 

is used to overlay the 1550 and 1310 and/or 1590 nm signals 

across a 1x32 PON network splitter, offering a platform supporting 

two-way communications between CPE equipment 

and the headend. Node+Zero RFOG modules can be deployed 

as stand-alone network interface devices, or in combination 

with a GePON or GPON ONT to provide increased bandwidth, 

IPTV, data and VoIP digital telephony services. 

AFL Telecommunications 

Booth #322 

Headquartered in Spartanburg, 

South Carolina, AFL Telecommunications 

is an industry-leading manufacturer of fiber optic 

products and provides engineering expertise and integrated services 

to the telecommunications industry for the transmission of 

video, voice and data. A division of Fujikura Ltd. of Japan, AFL 

offers extensive experience in both design and application across 

all markets, including FTTx. 

AFL’s “FTTH Made Easy” program consists of end-to-end 

system integration, incorporating a vast product portfolio including 

PON and point-to-point electronics with system integration 

and FTTx business modeling capabilities. AFL also offers fiber 

management systems, optical connectivity, closures, closures, 

demarcation, and fiber optic cable as well as fusion splicers, test 

equipment and related accessories. 

As a DIRECTV MSO, AFL is able to offer DIRECTV programming 

and services to system operators, including end-toend 

system integration of MFH3 – DIRECTV’s revolutionary 

IP-based video distribution system. 

Communications providers turn to AFL to build a network, 

upgrade or expand a system, or connect a campus through fiber 

optics. AFL Telecommunications understands the importance 

of quality and performance and delivers the best solution to 

any unique networking needs. 

Alpha Technologies 

Booth #1129 

Alpha Technologies Inc. develops 

power conversion, protection 

and standby products for 

cable television and telecommunications, including custom, 

application-specific power solutions. Alpha Technologies of- 

38 | BROADBAND PROPERTIES | www.broadbandproperties.com | August/September 2008


fers a complete portfolio of fiber-to-the-home powering options 

with the FlexPoint line of 12Vdc single-family solutions and the 

FlexNet line of 48Vdc multiple-dwelling and small office/home 

office (SOHO) power supplies. All of Alpha’s powering solutions 

are engineered to ensure reliability in the most demanding 

environmental conditions while optimizing battery life and 

performance. In addition to product development, Alpha Technologies 

provides a comprehensive range of installation and 

maintenance services to support its global customer base. Alpha 

Technologies is a member of The Alpha Group of companies. 

The Alpha Group is a global alliance of independent companies 

that share a common philosophy to create world-class 

powering solutions for communication, commercial, industrial 

and renewable energy markets. For this and additional information, 

call 360-647-2360 or go to www.alpha.com. 

Anritsu 

Booth #1204 

Anritsu Company (www.us. 

anritsu.com) is a global provider 

of innovative test and measurement solutions with a history of 

more than 110 years. The company specializes in measurement 

solutions for the field installation and maintenance of existing 

and next-generation wired and wireless communication systems 

including FTTx, metro, access and core networks. Key 

technologies include PON, Ethernet to 10 Gbps, SONET/ 

SDH from 2.5 to 40 Gbps, Next Gen (OTN 1/2/3, VCAT, 

LCAS, GFP/X.86), Internet Protocol, OTDRs, Spectrum Analyzers, 

PMD/CD and fiber characterization services. Anritsu 

sells in over 90 countries worldwide and has approximately 

4,000 employees. 

Calix 

Booth #613 

Calix is the largest telecom 

equipment supplier focused 

solely on access solutions for broadband service delivery. Service 

providers deploy Calix access solutions to enable a rich set 

of advanced services and to expand their revenue base beyond 

connectivity. Calix access innovation helps service providers 

deliver a variety of superior FTTP solutions optimized for a 

wide array of residential, business and multi-dwelling deployment 

scenarios. A recognized world leader in GPON OLTs and 

ONTs shipped, Calix has commercially deployed its fiber solutions 

in hundreds of service provider networks across North 

America. Calix will be showcasing its new family of GPON 

ONTs for multiple-dwelling units and small business units in 

Nashville. In addition, Calix will introduce two new FTTx innovations: 

Extended Reach GPON, which increases GPON 



service areas by 170 percent, and 700GX ONTs, which use 

Calix’s unique auto-sensing capability to seamlessly adapt to 

support whatever technology standard it is connected to – 

BPON, GPON or active Ethernet. For more information, visit 

the Calix website at www.calix.com. 

Carina Technology 

Booth #1030 

Carina Technology Inc. is a 

leading provider of energy information 

solutions through its 

CarinaPoint Solution. Carina enables 

energy providers to manage 

operations more efficiently 

and create new revenue streams 

through real-time applications such 

as interactive GIS, meter data management, 

remote meter reading, demand response, and 

power quality management. 

CarinaPoint is centralized and 

designed to fully gather, interpret 

and store energy data and 

provide interactive grid visibility. 

This easily scalable and open solution 

is inherently future-proof 

and utilizes a flexible variety 

of communications infrastructures. 

Carina also specializes in 

building and integrating software interfaces to existing CIS, 

GIS, and OMS systems. Learn more about Carina at www. 

carinatek.com. 

Charles Industries 

Booth #321 

Charles Industries Ltd. leads the way in the design and development 

of buried distribution pedestals for fiber optic applications. 

Charles introduced nonmetallic fiber pedestals to the 

industry in 2001 and has continued to provide new solutions 

for virtually every fiber deployment architecture. Charles Fiber 

Distribution Point (CFDP) pedestals offer GR-771-compliant 

closed architecture protection of both ribbon and loose buffer 

tube fiber. CFDP pedestals can accommodate loop-through 

and stub-out distribution cable, branch and drop splices, and 

fusion, mechanical or preconnectorized splicing. BDO openarchitecture 

fiber pedestals offer a lower-cost alternative for 

cost-conscious deployments. Charles Industries manufactures 

all of its products in five US manufacturing facilities. The company 

has won numerous customer service awards from service 

providers for its outstanding dedication to individualized attention, 

post-sale support and product training. 2008 marks 

the third consecutive year Charles has been named to the BBP 

Top 100. Additional information is available at www.charles 

industries.com or 847-806-6300. 

Clearfield Inc. 

Booth #314 

Clearfield reduces the cost of broadband 

deployment with the FieldSmart 

platform of fiber management 

solutions for the central office and 

outside plant. Through the use of its 

patented Clearview Cassette technology, 

fiber management is self-contained – ensuring bend radius 

protection, protecting the fibers from accidental damage and 

environmental hazards, and leading the industry in density 

and access while cutting costs through the elimination of external 

splicing hardware. Additional information is available at 

www.ClearfieldConnection.com. 

Corning Cable Systems 

Booth #507 

While there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution to every optical 

network, Corning simplifies the design process by offering versatile 

hardware products to optimize any network’s capabilities. 

The Eclipse Hardware family offers superior cable and jumper 

routing for efficient fiber management. Modular components 

provide customized layouts that maximize any network’s utility 

while managing cost and space constraints. This system is 

designed specifically for fiber-to-the-x (FTTx) applications and 

offers both splitter and cross-connect solutions. The Eclipse 

Hardware family features innovative fiber management, allowing 

a complete FTTx 864-fiber solution on a standard 7-ft rack. 

If it is used as a traditional cross-connect, capacity increases to 

1440 fibers. Splitters are fully compatible with the OptiTect 

Gen III Local Convergence Cabinet, allowing easy installation 

and reducing inventory management requirements. The 

simplicity of the system provides quick and easy incremental 

growth capability in a compact design. More information is 

available online at www.corningcablesystems.com. 

CSI Digital 

Booth #832 

CSI Digital markets wholesale 

digital content products and 

programming that enables providers 

to deliver IPTV, voice 

CSI Digital 

and data services to retail customers. A “new to market” company 

or an existing service provider can acquire CSI’s turnkey 

formatted wholesale digital content package, which includes 

voice, video and data products, without the prohibitive cost of 

a traditional deployment. 

CSI Digital’s wholesale video package allows service providers 

a simple, quick and cost-effective method to either upgrade 

existing video plant or realize a rapid, more cost-effective 

way to enter new markets. CSI Digital provides customers 

with quicker start-up and lower capital costs compared to selfdeveloped 

solutions. The content is competitive and robust in 



terms of channel line-up and choices, as well as profitable due 

to pricing advantages across CSI Digital’s customer base. CSI 

Digital customers include cable companies, telcos, ISPs and 

others interested in providing digital services. 

Draka Communications - 

Americas 

Booth #703 

Draka Communications Americas, founded in 1910 and based 

in Claremont, North Carolina, provides cabling solutions for a 

wide range of applications. It is a division of the multinational 

firm Draka, one of the world’s largest optical fiber producers 

with more than 25 million miles of fiber deployed in North 

America alone. Draka, headquartered in Amsterdam, had net 

sales of $4.15 billion and 9,550 employees in 2007. In December 

2007, Draka purchased the minority share of its subsidiary 

Draka Comteq from Alcatel-Lucent, merged the two head offices 

and is now using the name Draka Communications for 

this part of the business. Draka Communications leverages its 

expertise in optical fiber technology, cabling solutions and applications 

to help providers develop, deliver and deploy fiber 

optic networks. The company’s newest single-mode fiber, Bend 

Bright, is a bend-insensitive fiber that combines the unlimited 

transmission capacity of optical fiber with copper-like flexibility 

and handling. Because it can withstand repeated bending 

to very small radii and is backward compatible with older fiber, 

Bend Bright facilitates bending, connecting and storing fibers 

in real-world FTTH and business situations. More information 

is available online at www.drakaamericas.com. 

EMBARQ Logistics 

Booth #825 

EMBARQ Logistics is a distributor 

and supply-chain provider serving carriers, 

manufacturers and contractors 

throughout North America. With TL 

9000-certified teams in logistics, network deployments and 

customer support and an extensive roster of telecom manufacturers, 

EMBARQ Logistics offers solutions recognized for 

their innovation, effectiveness and efficiency. EMBARQ Logistics 

national distribution network and best-in-class IT systems 

provide customers a highly reliable infrastructure to meet a 

wide variety of logistics, deployment solutions and equipment 

needs. EMBARQ Logistics has expertise in provisioning communication 

equipment, as well as logistic services, engineering, 

integration and deployment services. For more information, 

visit www.embarqlogistics.com. 

ETI Software 

Booth #316 

Founded in 1992 and headquartered 

in Atlanta, ETI Software Solutions is a developer of 

software products deployed by more than 100 utility systems 

and telecommunications service providers serving millions of 

subscribers worldwide. Triad billing and OSS systems offer the 

ability to fully automate provisioning of FTTH, DSL, IPTV, 

RF video and softswitches. Optional fully integrated modules 

for Triad include order entry/rating, work order management/ 

scheduling, and reporting and billing functionality (Triad énconcert) 

to support advanced telecommunications services providers. 

Since Triad’s debut in 2004, it has been deployed in 30 

systems, including many of the nation’s largest FTTH services 

providers. Recent deployments include two municipal FTTH 

systems – Wilson, North Carolina, and Clarksville, Tennessee. 

More information is available online at www.etisoftware.com. 

GMP – General Machine Products 

Booth #530 

Preparing to celebrate 75 years 

of manufacturing and engineering 

excellence, General Machine 

Products Company Inc. (GMP) 

is a global provider of a wide 

range of products for the telecommunications, 

power utility 

and cable television industries 

and the contractors who serve 

them. Product applications include 

the placement of fiber 

optic, copper conductor and coaxial 

cable both aerially and underground. GMP aerial cable 

lashing machines, Adams continuous-duty winches and fiber 

optic cable pullers are accepted as the industry standard. The 

complete line of GMP’s 1,100+ products also includes cable 

reels and aerial blocks, cable cutters, unique RJ plug pressing 

tools, fiber optic cable blowing equipment, and other specially 

designed tools for the data, telecommunications, and power 

utility markets. Its facilities include a 100,000-square-foot 

manufacturing plant in suburban Philadelphia and a plant in 

Rutland, England (its CBS Products Ltd. unit). Both facilities 

are equipped with a full complement of technologically advanced 

machine tools and manned by a well-trained team of 

craftspeople. More information is available at www.gmptools. 

com, or by contacting Ted Clemens at 215-357-5500; info@ 

GMPtools.com. 

Graybar 

Booth #222 

In the world of technology, 

where the next big thing seems 

to change by the second, it’s often 

hard to tell the hype from the truth. That’s why it pays 

to work with Graybar, the company says. Since 1925, it has 

been helping service providers succeed. Planning and delivering 

powerful technology solutions that help them stay ahead of 

the curve and satisfy customers’ changing needs, so they can 



focus on managing their business more profitably. Working 

with Graybar means: 

• Personal assistance and advice from dedicated Service Provider 

Representatives who understand the service-provider 

business 

• Technology recommendations and design assistance from 

Network Systems Specialists 

• Scalable solutions from best-in-class suppliers 

• Access to hundreds of thousands of products in a nationwide 

distribution network 

• Superior customer service from an employee-owned company 

that’s registered according to ISO 9002 quality standards 

• Start-to-finish attention to detail that helps you manage 

your most complex projects for maximum efficiency 

Find out more about what Graybar can do for you when 

you visit Booth 222 in Nashville. Experience a 32-ft. rolling 

exhibit demonstrating live voice, video and data traffic across 

three separate electronics, interconnection, OSP and home 

platforms. For a sneak peek, visit graybar.com/fttx. 

GLDS – Great Lakes Data Systems 

Booth #1214 

WinCable sets a new standard for 

broadband billing and subscriber 

management software. WinCable’s 

client/server architecture, attractive 

Windows design and robust SQL 

database provide optimal features, 

benefits, and value. Digital, analog and IPTV set-top boxes, 

FTTH, conditional access, satellite receivers, cable modems, 

VOD and VoIP can all be managed directly from the Win- 

Cable billing system. GLDS also offers Web-enabled customer 

self-care including bill view, subscriber self-upgrades, PPV ordering 

and online credit card payment. Its systems are designed 

for the requirements of private, municipal and telco video: 

• Packed with exclusive “address based” features 

• Full support for Interdiction, FTTP, Digital, Analog, 

IPTV, Data, VoIP and more 

• Landlord/tenant billing options 

• Low-cost online solutions for small systems 

Currently serving small and mid-sized operators since 1980, 

GLDS has implemented its solutions for over 300 operators in 

49 US states and 38 countries worldwide. For more information, 

contact GLDS Sales at 800-882-7950 or sales@glds.com. 

www.glds.com. 

Hitachi Telecom (USA) 

Booth # 425 

Hitachi’s GPON-based Sourceto-Subscriber 

solutions enable service providers to enjoy quick 

time-to-market for broadband services – video, data, voice and 

beyond. Operators realize ROI objectives sooner and can meet 

competitive challenges on a timely basis. The Source-to-Subscriber 

solution includes project feasibility and technology assessment, 

as well as multiple services delivery options, all built 

on the foundation of Hitachi’s AMN1220 GPON platform. 

Individual elements of the solution can be provided on an “à la 

carte” basis to suit the specific needs of almost any service provider, 

supporting a “pay-as-you-grow” approach to services delivery. 

For cable TV operators, the Hitachi Node+Zero micronode 

offers an economical fiber–to-the-premises solution that can be 

applied in targeted areas of the network. Available versions include 

a standalone RFOG solution, deployment with GPON, 

or migration to GPON. Hitachi’s AMN1220 GPON platform 

provides 2.4 Gbps downstream and 1.2 Gbps upstream, and up 

to full-rate Gigabit Ethernet to individual subscribers. 

Light Brigade (The) 

Booth #630 

Over 35,000 people around the world 

have attended The Light Brigade’s stateof-the-art 

fiber optic training courses, 

which cover the entire spectrum of fiber 

optics from basic theory, design, maintenance 

and testing through advanced 

topics such as FTTx, DWDM, SONET, PMD/CD and fiberoptic 

video transmission. In addition to its public courses, The 

Light Brigade offers course development services in which 

training can be customized to a desired skill level, to focus on 

specific subject matter, or to take place at a special location. 

The company has produced professional-quality educational 

DVDs (12 titles), videos and CDs (25 titles), a self-paced training 

CD-ROM, and two self-study courses. These materials are 

non-vendor-specific and demonstrate theory and techniques 

applicable to any manufacturer’s product. The Light Brigade 

has been working with the Optical Society of America to interview 

industry pioneers in order to archive and preserve the 

history of fiber optics for future generations. 

Montclair Fiber Optics 

Booth #709 

Simplify FTTx deployments and eliminate additional installation 

costs with OSP (Outside Plant) tray mount 1x32 PLC 

splitters from Montclair Fiber Optics Inc. The OSP tray-mount 

1x32 PLC splitter is a field-ready solution that offers installerfriendly 

all-in-one packaging, robust optical performance and 

environmental long-term stability. Protective upjacketed fiber 

legs (TIA-598 color-code) provide ease and convenience of routing 

fibers between trays and ensuring fiber integrity. Montclair 

1x32 PLC splitters are available with custom configurations on 

a variety of brand-name splice trays to meet FTTx build-out 

requirements. Features and benefits: 

• Reduces field-labor costs 

• Installer-friendly packaging 



• Telcordia GR-1221-CORE qualified 

• Supports high-bandwidth triple-play services 

• 1260nm to 1600 nm operating wavelength 

• Low insertion loss and reflectance 

• Years of field-proven reliability 

• Knowledgeable/experienced support 

Multicom 

Booth #1331 

Multicom Inc., is a full-line 

stocking distributor and manufacturer 

of products used for 

end-to-end integration of communication solutions, including 

all FTTH applications, cable TV and VoIP services. Headquartered 

in Orlando, Florida, since 1982, Multicom is a onestop 

resource center stocking over 7,000 products from more 

than 85 of the world’s major manufacturers to completely build 

and maintain communications systems at cost-effective prices. 

These products are used to acquire, process and distribute signals 

over fiber optics, coax and copper cable. As a value-added 

supplier, Multicom is proud of its ability to design distribution 

systems for any application, as well as rack, balance and crate 

headends for a complete plug-and-play solution. Multicom’s 

affiliate company, Mconnect, offers cost-effective VoIP phone 

services for SOHO, residential and business customers. It also 

extends resellers an opportunity to participate in the growing 

VoIP industry with no upfront costs. Flexible options include 

private-label branding or reselling of the Mconnect brand. For 

more information, call 1-800-423-2594, e-mail to multicom@ 

multicominc.com or visit www.multicominc.com 

OFS Optics 

Booth # 913 

OFS is a world-leading designer 

and manufacturer of innovative 

optical fiber, optical fiber cable, 

FTTx and optical connectivity 

products and solutions for a 

wide variety of applications. Headquartered in Norcross (near 

Atlanta), OFS is a global provider with facilities in North 

America and Europe, and sales offices around the world. The 

company’s heritage goes back to Alexander G. Bell and the invention 

of the telephone, and includes technology powerhouses 

such as AT&T and Lucent Technologies. Since 2001 OFS has 

been a part of Furukawa Electric, a global leader in optical 

communications.. OFS’ key brands include FOX T Solution 

(Fiber Optics to the X), a comprehensive end-to-end offering 

to fiber-connect homes, businesses and multiple dwelling unit 

buildings; V-Linx Spool and Play Solution for MDU applications; 

and OptiCost FTTx Modeling Services. OFS is ready to 

commercially launch drop cables that can be bent to a 5 mm 

radius and can be stapled. For more information visit OFS at 

www.ofsoptics.com. 

Seikoh Geiken 

Booth #208 

Seikoh Giken provides high performance, Interconnectivity Solutions 

for network systems and chip level applications. For network 

installations and testing, we supply premium patchcords, 

adaptors, attenuators, cleaners (Ferrule Mate) and a repair polisher 

(Repair Mate). For manufacturing, we offer connectors, 

polishers, lensed fiber, metalized fiber and AR coated fiber. 

Sumitomo Electric 

Lightwave 

Booth # 721 

Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, based in Research Triangle Park 

since 1984, is a wholly owned company of Sumitomo Electric 

Industries (SEI). SEI is listed in the 2007 Cable Industry Analyst 

report as the world’s largest fiber optic cable manufacturer. As 

the first to have introduced peelable ribbon technology, hostileenvironment 

cable, mass fusion splicing, FutureFLEX Air-blown 

Fiber LAN infrastructure, and other first-to-market innovations 

to the US, Sumitomo is an established leader in ribbon cable, 

air-blown fiber and fusion splicing equipment and accessories. 

Sumitomo Electric Lightwave innovates, manufactures and 

tailors a broad range of both ribbon and loose-tube fiber optic 

cable, passive components, fusion and termination equipment 

and FTTx solutions for ILECs, CATV companies, OEMs, public 

and private network providers, municipalities and enterprise 

network managers. Recent Sumitomo innovations that decrease 

the cost of deployment while increasing network productivity 

and efficiency include the industry’s first and only dual-heater 

splicers, the first and only automated blade rotation cleaver, and 

its new MDU and FTTx ribbon drop cable. For more information, 

visit www.sumitomoelectric.com or call 800-358-7378. 

TeraSpan Networks 

Booth # 1029 

Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, TeraSpan provides a 

complete deployment solution that is scalable to meet present 

and future network requirements. TeraSpan develops, manufactures 

and sells its products to customers that have been 

trained and certified to deploy the technology. The company 

serves markets including FTTH builders, telecom carriers, 

cable operators, municipalities, public utilities, enterprises, 

health care providers and education. As the global leader in 

vertical inlaid fiber solutions, TeraSpan sells and markets products 

in the US, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Central 

America and South Africa, either directly or through partners. 

In 2008, TeraSpan announced that it signed an agreement 

with Alcatel-Lucent to distribute its vertical inlaid fiber products 

in Nordic and Baltic countries of Europe. The company 

also continues to research and develop passive outside plant, 

inside plant and undersea applications. It also develops specialized 

hybrid conduit systems to accommodate multiple cable 

types such as fiber/coaxial cable combinations. 


To learn how you can take the headache out of OSP fiber 

deployment, visit www.ClearfieldConnection.com for a 

copy of our whitepaper or to participate in our on-line 

seminar, The FieldSmart Fiber Management Philosophy: 

“Reduce Headache, Cost and Risk.” 

800.422.2537 

Clearfield is changing the way you think about fiber management.


Verizon Enhanced Communities 

Booth #1315 

Verizon Enhanced Communities is 

Verizon’s business unit dedicated to 

serving single- and multi-family communities 

nationwide with broadband, video, and advanced 

communications. Verizon’s fiber-to-the-premises infrastructure 

delivers Verizon FiOS Internet, TV and Digital Phone 

services over the most advanced network obtainable. FiOS can 

help increase a property’s profitability, help attract new residents, 

help reduce turnover and add to a property’s long-term 

viability. Verizon makes it easy, providing custom installation 

with dedicated management and engineering teams, as well as 

ongoing customer service. Learn how to enhance the value of a 

community at www.verizon.com/communities. 

Walker and Associates 

Booth #1221 

Walker and Associates distributes of network products solutions, 

providing world-class supply chain management, network 

deployment kits, quality installation, expert systems integration 

and unsurpassed service to US telecommunications 

service provider markets. Since 1970 Walker has remained an 

aggressive industry leader, offering products that support leading-edge 

technologies such as IP, network access, 802.11 wireless, 

point-to-point wireless, Ethernet over copper, CWDM, 

passive connectivity, digital cross-connect systems, power 

products, cable, routers, Ethernet switching and more. Walker’s 

services help reduce costs associated with installing and maintaining 

equipment at the customer location. The company assists 

its customers in solving business challenges and increasing 

their ability to meet customer expectations from telecommunications 

service providers. The company is celebrating over 

35 years of success with a regular service base of over 1,200 

domestic service provider customers. Walker and Associates is 

headquartered in North Carolina, near Winston-Salem, and is 

a certified woman-owned corporation. BBP 

Connect with These Companies 

in Nashville By Visiting 

the BBP Exhibit in the Expo Hall: 

Adams Global 

Communications 

With nearly three decades of 

experience, AGC has developed a reputation as a provider of 

quality products and services at reasonable prices. The company 

maintains a large inventory of equipment and materials 

for the cable and wireless industry and provides a variety of 

quality services, including: 

• Warehouse and inventory management programs 

• Engineering, design and upgrade services 

• Wreckout and excess inventory purchases and disposal programs 

• Select repair and refurbishment services. 

For more information contact Chris Shirling at 1-800-451- 

1762, cshirling@adamsglobal.com or visit online at www.adamsglobal.com. 

Connexion Technologies 

See “News from Featured Exhibitors”. 

Design Nine, Inc. 

Design Nine provides visionary 

broadband network design 

and engineering services to clients, communities and regions 

throughout the US. The firm has active projects in eight states, 

with several fiber-to-the-home projects in buildout or operation, 

including the first municipal open network in the US. 

Design Nine manages broadband fiber and wireless projects 

from beginning to end, including the initial assessment, design, 

construction and operations phases. The company is one 

of the most experienced open access broadband network design 

firms in the United States, and offers a full range of assessment, 

planning, financial analysis, business design and project management 

for public and private networks. 

Display Systems International 

Since 1983, DSI has developed character 

generators, advertising display systems 

and electronic program guides that 

display advertising, real estate and community 

bulletin boards. Its software is used by cable companies, 

private cable operators, apartments, schools, hotels and 

hospitals to display announcements, digital signage and guest 

information. Features include sound, video file playback, animation, 

start and expiry of pages, external device control and 

many more. Recent updates include free weather data via the 

Internet, FTP communications and email updates of pages 

and schedules. Its EPG, LineUp, allows operators to display a 

scrolling guide of current TV listings. They have complete control 

of the look, logos, fonts, colors and information displayed. 

Features include data delivery via the Internet, multiple contract 

terms, availability as full turnkey system or software only, 

simple spare swap, and integration with our character generators. 

A new feature allows program listings to be viewed on a 

home computer. More information is available online at www. 

displaysystemsintl.com. 

Electroline 


DESIGN NINE 

broadband architecture + engineering 



Foxcom 

Foxcom, a division of OnePath 

Networks, provides fiber optic solutions to the MDU firstmile 

access market and the professional satellite earth station 

and video distribution markets. Founded in 1993, Foxcom has 

two product lines: point-to-multipoint distribution platforms 

for the MDU and first-mile access market, and point-to-point 

transport of satellite signals in Earth stations, broadcast facilities, 

cable TV headends and other satellite gateway applications. 

In 2008 Foxcom launched the BsmarTV suite, an MFH- 

2-ready, triple play deployment platform for the PCO market, 

and SatLight/Platinum, an SNMP-based technology enabling 

instant RF and fiber optic link control and monitoring via a 

card level LCD display, for the satellite communications market. 

Foxcom has sales and marketing offices in Princeton, New 

Jersey, supporting customers in North and South America, as 

well as a new office in Durban, South Africa, to facilitate technical 

and customer support on the African continent. European 

operations are handled out of the UK offices. Foxcom’s 

research and manufacturing is centered in Israel, which also 

supports sales in Europe and Asia. Foxcom revenues for 2007 

grew by more than 25 percent. The company has 50 employees 

worldwide. For more information, visit www.foxcom.com, or 

call 609-514-1800. 

Greenfield 

Communications 


Huber and Suhner 


Millennium 

Communications Group 

MILLENNIUM 

Millennium Communications 

Group Inc. (MCG) is a premier provider 

of advanced network communications 

services and a single point of COMMUNICATIONS GROUP INC. 

contact for all network needs. MCG 

specializes in private fiber optic networks for municipalities and 

school districts. It designs and builds state-of-the-art networks 

that can be expanded as needs or technology change. Fiber optic 

technology has opened up a whole new world of communications 

services. It is no longer necessary to rely on the legacy systems 

that were, and still are, delivered by the phone and cable 

companies. Through fiber optic technology many businesses 

and communities are realizing that they can become independent 

of incumbent carriers and their restrictive service offerings. 

In breaking free from these carriers, these entities are receiving 

better and more reliable services at greatly reduced costs. MCG 

has been helping its customers do just that since 1995. It has 

been called upon by every major provider of telecommunications 

services in the country, by federal, state and local governments, 

college campuses, K-12 educational institutions and the 

private sector to solve their FTTx needs. For fiber to the desktop, 

campus, camera, home or any other unique application, MCG’s 

team can provide world-class service. It partners with a range 

of technology manufacturers that assist in providing solutions 

based on value and service level. Its staff is continually trained 

on the most advanced systems and applications, allowing MCG 

to offer the best options for any situation in the most cost-effective 

manner. It is this level of service and dedication to excellence 

that sets Millennium Communications Group apart. 

NorthStar TeleSolutions 

See “News from Featured 

Exhibitors”. 

Thermo Bond 

Thermo Bond Buildings is located 

in Elk Point, South Dakota, but its communications 

shelters are in use in Maine, Florida, California, Washington 

and almost all states in between. They can also be found in 

Alaska, Japan, Korea and Tahiti. While the company is small, 

it has successfully served some of America’s largest corporations. 

Thermo Bond’s motto is: “We’re small enough to know 

you and big enough to serve you.” 

Thermo Bond shelters are shipped fully assembled, including 

lights, outlets, air conditioners, heaters, generators, transfer 

panels, ventilation systems, cable ladder and grounding systems. 

One advantage of the shelter is flexibility – every project 

is different. Thermo Bond constructs each shelter to the 

customer’s specifications, including size, ceiling height, door 

placement, floor covering, exterior color and electrical layout. 

A full set of construction drawings is provided with every order, 

showing the interior layout, exterior view, cross sections of 

the wall, roof and floor, skid assembly and foundations print. 

The customer reviews this set of construction drawings and 

can make any changes prior to construction. The shelter is 

designed, engineered and constructed to give equipment the 

highest degree of protection available for the least amount of 

money – and to go on doing it year after year. 

These buildings have been used by long distance carriers for 

fiber optic networks, cellular companies, PCS providers, cable 

companies, power companies, the US Department of Energy, 

US Department of Interior, major railroads, local and state governments 

and many telephone companies. For more information, 

visit www.thermobond.com or call 800-356-2686. BBP 



News from Featured Exhibitors 

ADC OmniReach In-Hub Splicing Option 

ADC’s new in-hub distribution 

splice option for the Omni- 

Reach Fiber Distribution Hub 

3000 (www.adc.com) gives 

engineers more FTTP design 

choices. It allows technicians to 

splice distribution cables within 

the hub in applications where 

splice case access beyond the 

hub is either not available or 

undesirable. It’s available in 

three cabinet sizes (144, 288 

and 432). 

Cables are spliced using 

ADC’s patented fiber 

splice wheel, which accommodates 

variable lengths of pigtails 

and buffer tubes. OmniReach 

cabinets are the industry’s first 

designed to meet the unique 

requirements of independent 

carriers, utilities and municipalities. 

Jack Field, vice president of product management for ADC, 

said “the splice option allows users to integrate distribution cable 

splicing within hubs, rather than splicing to cable stubs that 

are in splice cases located as far as 100 feet away.” 

The OmniReach FDH 3000 offers several other key features 

and benefits, including: 

• A centralized splitter approach that maximizes space on 

costly OLT cards; 

• Bend radius protection; 

• Intuitive cable routing; 

• Easy fiber/connector access; and 

• Physical protection from elements. 

AFL Telecommunications Introduces 

New Power Meter and OTDR 

AFL Telecommunications has introduced the Noyes OPM4- 

FTTx power meter, designed to measure optical power at 1490 

and 1550 nm, separately and simultaneously, in FTTx passive 

optical networks. Using the “set reference” feature, comparisons 

can be made between 1490 and 1550 nm power levels 

measured at different parts of the network. 

The new power meter includes an integrated visual fault 

locator for short-range fault location and connectivity testing. 

With a large backlit LCD display, the meter shows power at 

both wavelengths in units of dB or µW, and remaining battery 

life. Handheld, rugged and lightweight, the OPM4-FTTx is 

AFLtele.com. 

simpler to use, faster and more accurate 

than traditional PON meters, making it 

the perfect optical power meter for FTTx 

installation and repair technicians. 

AFL also introduced the new Noyes 

OFL280, a handheld, single-mode 

OTDR optimized for FTTx testing. With 

all the benefits of the OFL250, including 

optical power meter, laser source, visual 

fault location, and 12-hour battery life, 

the OFL280 comes in two new models, 

1310/1490/1550 nm for PON construction 

testing, and 1310/1550/1625 nm with 

filter, for live network testing. The filtered 

model puts all wavelengths on a single 

port, with live fiber detection, to ensure 

network-safe, user-friendly operation. 

Both items will be demonstrated on 

site at Booth 322 at the FTTH Expo. 

For additional information, visit www. 

Anritsu Enhances the Performance of 

its Revolutionary Micro-OTDR 

Anritsu Instruments Company, 

a subsidiary of Anritsu Corporation 

(www.anritsu.com), a 

global provider of operational 

support solutions for advanced 

and converged networks, has 

announced enhanced operation of its pocket-size Network 

Master MT9090A Fault Locator Series with the release of software 

version 2.0. 

With the new release, the smallest field testing platform 

available now includes more features to ensure your network 

performs up to expectations. Key new features include an extended 

testing range, connector inspection microscope support, 

multiple language GUIs and enhanced event analysis of 

extremely short fiber spans or jumpers. 

With its extended testing range, the MT9090A/ 

MU909011A now becomes a more versatile tool not only for 

on-premises troubleshooting of FTTX drop cables, MDU riser 

cables and central office cabling, but also for testing of fibers 

between COs and repeaters. Analysis of short fiber runs has 

also been enhanced to accurately detail events just feet away 

from the test set. 

Since connector condition is vital to delivering quality services, 

the MT9090A now features a connector inspection microscope. 

With this option, connector end faces can be viewed 

on the high-resolution display and cleaning techniques verified. 

Connector images can then be captured and recalled for 



later review or inclusion into reports. The device now features 

multiple foreign languages preloaded on the instrument and 

available for use with one simple menu change. 

“These enhancements are just another example of Anritsu’s 

ongoing commitment to supply the telecommunications industry 

with the tools it needs to address the challenges associated 

with maintaining today’s advanced broadband networks,” 

states Stephen Colangelo, Marketing and Business Development 

Director at Anritsu. 

Calix Announces GPON ONTs for 

Multi-Dwelling Unit and Business Applications 

Calix (www.calix.com) announced 

a portfolio of GPON 

optical network terminals for the 

multi-dwelling unit (MDU) and 

small to mid-sized business markets. 

The three new products, 

part of Calix’s 700G family of 

GPON ONTs, are aimed at the 

unique requirements of commercial deployment environments, 

from residential and mixed-use apartment buildings, dormitories 

or hospitality locations to business parks, strip malls and 

stand-alone enterprises. Service providers can use the portfolio 

to offer a mix of services and applications including IPTV, RF 

video, gigabit Ethernet, TDM voice, support for DS-1 lines 

and even cellular backhaul – all over fiber to the premises. 

• The 760G supports eight POTS lines, four 10/100/1000 

Ethernet ports, four RF video ports and one hot RF video 

port; it is designed for MDUs, hospitality and mixed-use 

business/residential deployments. 

• The 762G supports eight POTS lines, eight 10/100/1000 

Ethernet ports, four RF video ports and one hot RF video 

port; it is designed for MDUs, hospitality and mixed-use 

business/residential deployments. 

• The 765G supports eight POTS lines, four DS-1 lines, four 

10/100/1000 Ethernet ports, four RF video ports and one 

hot RF video port; it is designed for business and mixedused 

business/residential deployments and cellular backhaul 

applications. 

• All of the 760G ONTs support 2.5 GPON on the Calix C7 

multiservice access platform with Release 6.0 software. 

Every ONT in the portfolio is hardened, and power supplies 

are available for indoor and outdoor locations. 

“The business case for FTTP requires service providers to 

take full advantage of every service opportunity that is within 

reach of their deployed fiber,” says David Russell, solutions 

marketing director at Calix. “The diversity, modularity, and 

flexibility of the Calix GPON ONT family, boosted by the 

new 760G portfolio, allows service providers to optimally ad- 

What one of our customers recently had to say about several hundred of our splitters installed in their optical network. 

“We have had absolutely no issues with Montclair’s products. They are performing fl awlessly.” 

—Tom Eastes Network Engineer, Fibernet West Virginia (A One Communications Company) 

 

 

 

 

 

T hinking ahead…Always 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



dress nearly any residential, business, mixed-use, single family 

unit (SFU) or MDU environment.” 

Charles Industries to Debut 

New Fiber Flexibility Pedestal 

Charles Industries Ltd. (www.charlesindustries.com) 

will introduce a new addition 

to its industry-leading fiber optic 

pedestal line when it unveils the Charles 

Fiber Flexibility Pedestal (CFFP) at the 

Fiber-to-the-Home Conference and Expo 

in Nashville. The CFFP protects centralized 

split points in an above-grade, environmentally 

protected pedestal for passive 

optical networks. 

The CFFP was designed to provide 

a more cost-effective option to fiber distribution hubs with 

greater flexibility in placement. In place of large metal cabinets 

that require concrete pads or buried vaults for placement, 

the base of the CFFP can be directly buried, while the pedestal 

dome can be removed for convenient access to the splicing 

area. Its small size makes it a better choice than large cabinets 

for small neighborhoods, trailer parks and remote locations. 

Because it is not vented, the CFFP is floodproof and can be 

placed in flood-prone areas. 

CFFP will be available in three sizes, for distributing up to 

96, 144 and 288 fibers. Each pedestal has a specially designed 

prestubbed bulkhead panel and slots for housing 1x32 splitter 

modules. Technicians can quickly and easily turn up service 

to subscribers by removing a distribution pigtail from a designated 

storage “parking lot” and plugging it into the bulkhead 

panel’s connector interfaces. 

Bend-control cable guides keep the pigtails neatly and securely 

arranged. An inner dome slides over the entire bulkhead 

panel area, creating a sealed chamber for added environmental 

protection. General availability of CFFP units is planned for 

November 2008. 

Clearfield Announces FieldSmart Fiber Wallbox 

Clearfield, Inc. (formerly APA Cables & 

Networks) is introducing the FieldSmart 

Fiber Management Wallbox, a new component 

in the FieldSmart Fiber Management 

Platform (www.clearfieldconnection.com). 

It provides 12 to 24 ports of fiber management 

access and protection. Designs for both 

the outside plant and business-class environments will ship 

in October. 

With Clearfield’s Clearview Cassette at its heart, the FieldSmart 

Wallbox provides service providers plug-and-play integration 

based on the configuration requirements of the application. 

It supports all cable construction types for both patch-only and 

patch-and-splice deployments. All industry standard connector 

styles are available. The FieldSmart Wallbox-OSP is designed 

for the harsh environmental conditions of the outside plant, 

with full NEMA 4 certification. It ships with a field-deployed 

“knock-out” that allows for conduit entry while maintaining 

NEMA 4 performance. The FieldSmart Wallbox-Riser is ideal 

for business-class and MDU environments. It is ring-cut capable, 

supporting feeder and distribution cables through the 

riser. Both versions provide a swinging bulkhead that supports 

and protects sub-unit slack storage. 

The Clearview Cassette ensures that all the basic principles 

of fiber management are satisfied without exposure to environmental 

hazards or human interaction. Integrated cassette 

components fully nest into the cassette main housing to support 

any application or fiber type desired. Within the cassette, 

all fibers from the subassembly are slack stored, bend-radius 

protected and secured against accidental physical damage from 

handling. The cassette has a clear outer housing for quick and 

easy first-step troubleshooting of unacceptable light conditions. 

Tool-free snap-together nesting covers and a removable 

12-pack adapter plate allow for easy access to terminated subassemblies 

for maintenance and cleaning. 

Connexion Technologies Expands Business to Include 

Existing Properties 

Connexion Technologies recently established its first deployment 

of a fiber-to-the-home network in an existing development, 

a high-end golf community with 6,500 planned units 

–Ginn’s Reunion Resort. According to Reunion management, 

the network’s installation was so streamlined that it went almost 

completely unnoticed. After the first stage of the installation, 

Reunion even called Connexion to find out when it would 

begin construction, only to learn that much of the network had 

already been installed. 

Connexion will continue to invest its own capital to design, 

deploy, operate and maintain these networks, partnering only 

with best-in-class service providers, to deliver services such as 

telephone, television, Internet and security to customers. Connexion 

Technologies can deliver a more robust channel line-up, 

more HD channels, faster Internet speeds and more advanced 

phone packages and features – all at a higher level of service 

and at a lower price than most incumbents. 

“The trick to overbuilding is not disrupting what is already 

there…not disturbing the daily lives of the residents,” said David 

Burman, Regional Vice President of Reunion’s developer, 

Ginn Resorts. “To date they have completed 65 percent of the 

overbuilding process without disrupting a thing.” Thanks to 

its new FTTH network, Reunion can now support advanced 

technological services for its guests and staff. 

Connexion is currently building FTTH networks in five 

properties, including resort, single family, high rise, and apartments, 

with dozens more already on the drawing board nationwide. 

Says Geoff Fair, Connexion Technologies’ Executive 

Vice-President of Engineering: “It’s a very significant advance 

in our deployment of optical fiber that we’ve ‘cracked the code’ 



in figuring out how to make business sense of building networks 

in pre-existing communities. We hope that many more 

properties discover its advantages and upgrade to FTTH.” 

The company is based in Cary, North Carolina. It was established 

in 2002 and is located in 17 offices throughout the 

country. For more information, visit www.connexiontechnolo 

gies.net. 

Corning to Highlight FTTH Leadership and 

Innovation in Nashville 

Corning will highlight its innovative 

fiber-to-the-home 

(FTTH) solutions through exhibits 

and hands-on demonstrations 

at the Nashville FTTH 

conference. Sponsorship of the 

FTTXcellence Award, which 

will be presented there, demonstrates Corning’s commitment 

to and leadership in the industry. In its exhibit (booth #507), 

Corning will display its complete tip-to-tip solution in an 

FTTH network, from the central office to a single-family unit 

(SFU) and a multidwelling unit (MDU). Throughout the exhibit, 

customers will be able to see exactly where the products 

fit into their network deployment. 

Corning will display its revolutionary ClearCurve bendinsensitive 

optical fiber-based product suite. Visitors will be 

able to see how the ClearCurve solution is actually deployed 

in greenfield and brownfield MDU FTTH applications. Telecommunications 

carriers will experience first-hand how Corning 

ClearCurve products allow them to design optical fiber 

cable into these complex environments and provide their customers 

near-infinite bandwidth benefits, while simplifying the 

installation process. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, Corning will present the fifth-annual 

FTTXcellence Award during the 8 a.m. keynote session. 

The award honors an individual for his or her contributions to 

the deployment of optical access networks in North America. 

Visit www.corning.com/cablesystems; for more information 

on Corning’s ClearCurve product suite, visit www.corning. 

com/clearcurve. 

CSI Digital Adds Sales Offices 

CSI Digital, which 

handles IPTV servicing 

for customers from 

Guam to New York 

(www.csidigital.net), 

has established a national sales team and sales offices in Miami, 

Boston, Minneapolis and the Bay Area, supplementing 

the sales force at its Portland corporate headquarters. Eric Patterson, 

Vice President of Sales and Marketing, will lead Brett 

Fasullo in Boston, Matt Ailts in Minneapolis, and Greg Calton 

in Livermore. “The expansion of the sales team will enable 

CSI Digital to better service geographical regions and provide 

excellent customer support nationwide,” says Eric Patterson, 

“The experience and knowledge that each of the Regional Sales 

Managers brings to the company will be an asset to CSI Digital 

and our current and potential customers.” 

“Brett, Matt and Greg understand the IPTV industry from 

the headend to the set-top box. Their industry expertise will be of 

great value, helping customers find the best solution for their current 

infrastructure,” says David Luman, CEO of CSI Digital. 

Design Nine Selected to Advise 

New Mexico on Statewide Broadband Strategies 

Thomas Bowles, Science Advisor to Governor Bill Richardson 

of New Mexico, has announced that Design Nine (www. 

designnine.com) has been selected to develop a set of recommendations 

and strategies aimed at creating a New Mexico Integrated 

Strategic Broadband Initiative. Design Nine will perform 

a comprehensive, statewide broadband needs assessment; 

identify gaps in services; target educational, research and public 

library broadband needs; and map existing and proposed 

broadband and telecommunications networks in the state. 

The company will also propose pilot broadband projects 

aimed at enhancing the attractiveness of the state to businesses, 

and will look for ways to create public/private partnerships with 

existing service providers so that private-sector telecom businesses 

can provide more services in more parts of the state. 

“This contract demonstrates our commitment to making 

communities and regions more competitive in the Global 

Knowledge Economy. Our towns, cities and states need the 

same kind of high-performance telecom infrastructure that is 

already widely available in many other countries,” says Dr. Andrew 

Cohill, President of Design Nine. 

Draka to Begin North American 

Production of BendBrightXS 

Draka Communications (www. 

draka.com) says it will begin 

production of BendBrightXS, its 

bend-insensitive optical fiber, at its 

Claremont, North Carolina, manufacturing 

facility. Demand for 

BendBrightXS in North America 

has been driven mainly by large-scale deployments of FTTH 

access networks by the major telecommunications providers. 

BendBrightXS answers these market demands with its patented 

design, yet does not have the technical complications, such as 

splicing and connectorization, of other bend-insensitive fibers. 

BendBrightXS, first introduced in 2006, uses a “trenchassisted” 

index profile to meet the most stringent industry 

standard for bend-insensitive fiber, ITU-T G.657.B. With approximately 

100x microbending and 100x macrobending performance 

improvement over standard single-mode fiber, Bend- 

BrightXS is ideal for access networks where cables and fibers 



are subjected to tight bends and the rigors of harsh installation 

techniques such as the stapling of cables. It is the only commercially 

available all-glass fiber on the market that meets and 

exceeds the stringent ITU-T G.657.B bending requirements, 

yet maintains full backwards compatibility with existing single 

mode fibers, meeting ITU-T G.652.D. 

Draka Communications introduced the first generation of 

bend-insensitive fiber, BendBright, in 2002. Updated in 2005 

to conform to low water peak standards, G.652.D, BendBright 

is a G.657.A fiber, with approximately 10x bending improvement 

over standard single-mode fiber. 

Electroline Announces MDU 

Mini-Nodes for FTTx and RFOG 

Electroline Equipment (www. electroline.com) announced 

the EDX-T series of MDU mini-nodes with configurations for 

GPON and RFOG architectures. The Tri-Plexer and laser configurations 

can accommodate up to four wavelengths on the 

primary port and two wavelengths on the ONT bypass port. 

A 1590nm laser option will support RF return traffic from settop 

boxes or cable modems. As a result, data GPON ONTs 

can be optically coupled with the EDX to provide two-way RF 

video service. Buildings without PON equipment can run the 

EDX on the same 1:32 split physical network. Additionally, 

systems that rely on a CMTS can use the RFOG configuration 

to operate on the same 1:32 PON physical layer. Finally, 

apartment-level video control can be added via the SuperCAT 

addressable systems suitable for building ranging from duplex 

units to hundreds of apartments per building. 

Embarq Wins Major Contract from TEC 

Embarq Logistics, a supply 

chain integrator providing solutions 

to network service providers, 

manufacturers and contractors 

throughout North America, 

has won a telecom contract from 

TEC to improve the networks of 

TEC’s Bay Springs Telephone Company in Bay Springs, Mississippi. 

TEC, the holding company for numerous telecoms, 

awarded Embarq Logistics a contract to help its Bay Springs 

Telephone Company make improvements to its network. Embarq 

Logistics will provide an advanced Ethernet/IP infrastructure 

to Bay Springs Telephone, enabling it to attain the 

bandwidth required to meet the demands from its customers. 

According to Brent Fisher, director of local exchange carrier 

operations for TEC, the Embarq solution helps the company to 

save a lot of time and money and reduce service outages. “The 

benefits are a tremendous advantage and become even more 

important for small telecoms like Bay Springs,” Fisher says. 

Embarq performs the upgrade by retrofitting the existing 

telecom equipment. To do so, it initially transfers the existing 

service to a temporary cabinet at each location, and after 

updating the permanent cabinet, switches the service back over 

to the retrofitted platform. This process eliminates the need 

for new cabinets, cables or other components. According to 

Embarq, the entire process at one site, which may take up to 

six months to complete if done in the traditional manner, can 

be completed within three days. 

Adtran, a company that provides networking and communications 

equipment, will assist TEC and Embarq in the upgrade 

process by providing its Total Access 5000 multiservice 

access and aggregation platform. 

“We are very pleased to work with Embarq Logistics and 

TEC on the upgrade of Bay Springs and the other TEC companies’ 

properties by using the Total Access 5000,” says P. Steven 

Locke, vice president of Service Provider Sales at Adtran. 

For more information, visit embarqlogistics.com. 

GLDS to Provision FTTP with Enablence Technologies’ 

Trident 7 Platform at Tullahoma Broadband 

Great Lakes Data Systems Inc. 

(GLDS, www.cablebilling.com), 

provider of PC-based subscriber management and billing systems, 

announced it has successfully completed integration between its 

WinCable subscriber management and billing system and Enablence’s 

Trident7 Element Management System. The combined 

solution will be deployed at Tullahoma Utilities Board (TUB) 

and will provide complete service delivery control of voice, video 

and data services, directly from the billing system. 

TUB is a municipal public utility serving a community 

of 20,000 residents 65 miles from the metropolitan areas of 

Nashville, Chattanooga and Huntsville. Arnold Engineering 

Development Center, the most advanced and largest complex 

of flight simulation test facilities in the world, and the University 

of Tennessee Space Institute, an internationally recognized 

institution for graduate study and research in engineering, 

physics, mathematics and aviation systems, are both located 

near Tullahoma. TUB offers advanced triple-play services to 

its customers via GPON. 

The new billing system eliminates the need for multiple disparate 

systems and allows operators to manage their Trident7 

FTTP network without additional mediation or provisioning 

layers. “The ability to control the Trident7 platform with 

flow-through provisioning was a critical part of this project. 

We weren’t going to be able to launch without it,” said Brian 

Skelton, General Manager at TUB. 

TUB will deploy Trident7 OLTs in a single central office 

facility, with integration to phone switching equipment, Cisco 

routers and middleware from Minerva. Solutions from GLDS 

include billing and provisioning software for in-house use, 

software as a service (SaaS) and online provisioning-only applications. 

Greenfield Communications – 

Leader in FTTH Communications Solutions 

Greenfield Communications (www.egreenfield.com) is now 

taking on smaller projects. The turnkey FTTH communica- 



tions company has expertise in design, construction, operations 

and communication services. The company, founded in 

2001, is based in Dana Point, California, and provides highspeed 

Internet, telephone, television and community Intranet 

services to over 6,000 residential customers in 10 active projects 

throughout Southern and Northern California as well as 

Arizona. Greenfield also has 35 more projects under contract 

representing more than 250,000 lots. Greenfield is a licensed 

CLEC and has contractors’ licenses in general engineering, 

electrical and low-voltage disciplines. 

Greenfield is a certified PON designer and is a leader in 

PON design and installation. Years of design experience and 

listening to the feedback of developers and home builders 

have led to a design that includes no above-grade pedestals, 

and smaller and fewer conduit and pull boxes. The design is 

also geared toward efficient cable pulling and splicing (which 

Greenfield performs itself) and has resulted in consistent reductions 

in outside plant construction costs. OSP costs including 

all fiber cable pulling, closures, splicing and optoelectronic 

equipment are now below $600 per home served. 

This improvement in efficiency and subsequent reduction 

in costs has allowed Greenfield to take on projects of less than 

500 units. This design has also led to an extremely reliable infrastructure. 

This reliability is vital since it is the cornerstone of 

providing exceptional customer service, and since Greenfield 

owns the infrastructure and is also the service provider it results 

in fewer maintenance calls and thus lower operating costs. 

Greenfield employs a dedicated field representative to each 

project, resulting in customer satisfaction levels on each project 

of over 98 percent. This outstanding customer support is 

also evident in Greenfield’s local 24/7 call center and office 

personnel. Greenfield was awarded the NXTcomm award for 

best Network Infrastructure in 2007 and this year at the NX- 

Tcomm convention was awarded the NPRG Most Innovative 

Access Solutions award. 

New Micro Fiber Cable Blowing Machine from 

GMP Combines Compact Size, Maneuverability 

and Flexibility 

Designed to meet the growing need for FTTx micro cable installation, 

the new Breeze Microfiber Cable Blowing Machine 

by General Machine Products Company, Inc. (GMP), Trevose, 

PA, moves micro fiber cable of 0.1 inch to 0.315 inch (2.5 to 8.0 

mm) diameter into pre-installed duct at speeds up to 164 feet 

per minute. It is compatible with microduct outside diameters 

of 0.197 inch to 0.472 inch (5.0 to 12.0 mm). 

Its compact size makes the Breeze ideally suited for external 

or internal use. The pushing force, up to 35 pounds (16 

kg) maximum, can be adjusted to suit the cable stiffness. Its 

electrically powered two-roller drive system controls the cable 

as it is propelled by compressed air into the duct. A monitoring 

system reads speed and distance, auto-stops if cable hits 

an obstruction, and includes an emergency stop facility. More 

information is available online at www.gmptools.com. 

Hitachi Announces Universal RFOG 

Solution for Cable TV Operators 

Hitachi Telecom (USA) 

Inc. (www.hitachitelecom.com) 

has added 

new capability to the 

company’s AMN1220 

GPON product solution, 

aimed at helping 

cable TV operators future-proof their networks – and their 

revenue positions. The Hitachi solution, compatible with the 

emerging RFOG (RF Over Glass) initiative, provides a fiber 

optic connection from the headend to the subscriber. The 

Node+Zero solution leverages existing headend equipment, 

minimizes active components in the outside plant and supports 

targeted bandwidth increases and provides opportunities for 

immediate revenue from subscribers in the target locations. 

It delivers the well-understood advantages of passive optical 

networks, including the minimizing of amplifiers in the field. 

Node+Zero modules can be deployed as standalone network 

interface devices at the subscribers’ premises, or in combination 

with a GPON ONT to provide full GPON bandwidth 

and a bidirectional RF path between the headend and subscribers’ 

premises. Initial models include: 

Node+Zero H-103: Designed for deployment with a GPON 

ONT. Passes RF services (DOCSIS, RF Forward and Return) 

to the GPON ONT, which supports enhanced bandwidth for 

higher data rates and IP video services and voice services. 

Node+Zero H-112: A stand-alone subscriber premises device 

that passes RF services (DOCSIS, RF Forward and Return) bidirectionally 

and transparently between the headend and the 

subscriber. Subsequent connection to GPON ONT is optional. 

The Hitachi Node+Zero RFOG module supports standard 

GPON wavelengths, allowing a seamless connection to the 

Hitachi GPON ONT. An upstream RF return path, using a 

1590nm wavelength, carries return data between any manufacturer’s 

RF Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) and the headend. 

The 1590nm wavelength is multiplexed with the 1310nm 

GPON channel in the upstream direction when deployed with 

a GPON ONT. The 1590nm return path terminates at receiver 

equipment at the video headend. 

According to Rick Schiavinato, Hitachi Telecom vice president, 

sales and marketing, “The Hitachi Node+Zero solution 

allows cable TV operators to enjoy immediate opex benefits 

by bringing fiber from the headend to the premises without 

intervening active electronics. An advantage of the Node+Zero 

solution is that the infrastructure is transparent to existing 

DOCSIS and CMTS protocols and management systems, accommodating 

RF headend and CPE combinations from virtually 

any manufacturer.” 

HUBER+SUHNER Field Termination 

Revolution Continues 

HUBER+SUHNER (www.hu 

bersuhner.com) announces the 



latest enhancement to its QUICK ASSEMBLY field termination 

system. Now it can reliably terminate and polish SC APC 

interfaces with typical return loss performance of -65 dB. 

The QUICK ASSEMBLY System consists of a battery-operated 

hand tool that allows the user to epoxy, cure and cleave 

SC-and ST-type connectors in under 90 seconds. The connector 

endface is then easily polished with the use of novel polishing 

discs. The unique connector entry allows reliable captivation 

of Kevlar for cable sizes to 3 mm. The addition of UPC 

and APC polishing pucks allow the system to terminate and 

polish PC and APC single-mode SC connectors. The QUICK 

ASSEMBLY system tools come in a case that belts to the hip so 

that no table is needed. 

Other features include spliceless termination for long-term 

reliable performance, termination with “just two hands” even 

in unfriendly working conditions, termination of 0.9 mm tubes 

and ruggedized cables, easy-to-carry tool box for maximum 

mobility, and enhanced connector design for easy termination. 

Light Brigade Releases Three New Training DVDs 

The Light Brigade (www.lightbrigade.com) has three new titles 

in its series of Staff Development DVDs. Featuring detailed 

graphics and animations, these DVDs are an essential training 

tool for any FTTP organization. They are structured into 

user-selectable chapters that enable easy viewing either in continuous-play 

mode or of specific topics and chapters applicable 

to the viewer’s needs. 

“Introduction to Fiber Optics” (W-6D-101) contains fourteen 

introductory chapters providing an overview of the basics 

of optical fibers as well as the various components and disciplines 

involved, including where and how fiber optics is used, a 

short review of the history, the basics of fiber structures, theory, 

terminology, and how components are manufactured and integrated 

for use in today’s fiber optic communication systems. 

“Fiber Optic Active Devices” (W-6D-191) provides a basic 

understanding of active optical components from theory and 

manufacture to operation and application, including: optical 

sources and detectors; design and packaging; the roles of transimpedance 

amplifiers, clock and data recovery, mux/demux, heat 

sinks, transponders; transceiver modules; and how to test active 

devices to verify performance and characterize components. 

“Fiber Optic Passive Devices” (W-6D-201) details the theory, 

manufacture and employment of various passive components 

and optical subassemblies, including an in-depth look at 

the technology and products used in wide, coarse and dense 

wavelength division multiplexing. Later chapters discuss the 

evolution of optical add/drop multiplexing and look at the specifics 

of testing and test equipment for passive components. 

Bonus materials include an acronym list, a glossary of related 

terms and a quiz with student and instructor versions. For 



a limited time, The Light Brigade will be offering these new 

DVDs at an introductory price of $300 for all three. 

Montclair Fiber Optics Adds 

High-Powered Fiber Amplifiers 

Montclair Fiber Optics Inc. 

(www.montclairfiber.com) in 

Middleton, Wisconsin, has added 

the HFA high-powered fiber 

amplifier to its current line of 

EDFA products. The cost-effective 

HFA amplifier is designed 

for FTTx applications that require 

high power output and low noise. Total output power 

of 33dBm is available on up to 16 ports in a 2RU 19-inch or 

23-inch rack-mount enclosure. 

Since 1995, Montclair has been offering a wide range of 

high-quality and low-cost optical products (splitters, CWDMs, 

WDMs, and amplifiers) that are specifically designed and environmentally 

tested to meet the industry (Telcordia)-standard 

requirements for FTTx applications. Its products are installed 

throughout North America, enduring some of the harshest climates 

and providing the field-proven performance and reliability 

network builders can count on. 

Leading Manufacturers’ Success is Multicom’s Success 

Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and maintaining sales offices, 

rep agencies and subdistributors throughout North and 

Latin America, Multicom stocks over 7,000 products from 

more than 85 of the world’s major manufacturers. These products 

are used to acquire, process, and distribute audio, video, 

data, energy, and traffic control signals over fiber optic, copper, 

and coax cable. 

Multicom (www.multicominc.com), has placed a major bet 

with FTTH, representing many of the pace-setting manufacturers 

that are taking the lead in fiber optic technology. Among 

many others, progressive manufacturers like Foxcom, AFL, 

Preformed Line Products, Draka and Corning develop equipment 

that provides end users with solutions for their fiber optic 

applications. 

“We enjoy working closely with the manufacturers that 

the industry depends on. Since we stock an enormous amount 

of fiber optic components and thousands of feet of fiber optic 

cable, we need to be proactive in our approach to stocking fiber 

optic equipment and depend on our manufacturers to keep 

pace with our evolving industry,” says Sherman Miller, President 

of Multicom. 

“What is relevant today can quickly become obsolete, making 

room for tomorrow’s innovations. The pioneering companies 

that are delivering the next generation of triple play 

services are at the core of our business and we are proud to 

represent them.” 

OFS Re-launches Its Leading 

FTTH Offering as FOX Solution 

OFS (www.ofsoptics.com) recently announced that it relaunched 

its fiber product line as FOX Solution (Fiber Optics 

to the X). This new name better reflects the broadening diversity 

of OFS’ FTTx solution for multiple applications. 

“The change of name to FOX Solution demonstrates our 

commitment to consistently expand our FTTx product and solution 

portfolio to enable our customers to more efficiently support 

fiber to the business and residence, in addition to serving 

utilities, wind farms, transportation management, and other 

fiber-to-the-x applications,” says William Kloss, Executive VP 

of Marketing and Sales, North America and CALA. “As we 

have seen our customer and application base diversifying for 

this product line, we wanted to accelerate brand recognition 

with an easily recognized symbol reflective of the acronym for 

Fiber Optics to the X.” 

The FOX Solution is a comprehensive end-to-end FTTx offering 

that helps service providers to achieve maximum return 

on investments for fiber to the home, businesses, and multiple 

dwelling unit (MDU) deployments in a wide range of environments, 

including those previously hard to reach. 

The solution offers fast, cost-effective network installation 

to help reduce first cost, with reliable support to help reduce 

lifecycle cost. It can support ultra-high-speed video, data, 

HDTV, voice, online gaming and many other revenue-generating 

services. 

Key components of the FOX Solution include OptiCost 

modeling and design services, AllWave and bend-optimized 

AllWave FLEX Zero Water Peak (ZWP) Fibers, LGX Central 

Office/Head End Solution, totally dry FortexTM DT and AccuRibbon 

DC cables, AllWave FLEX Jumpers and connectorized 

cable assemblies, ORBITAL Fiber Distribution Cabinet, 

and the V-Linx Spool & Play Solution for MDU deployments. 

Seikoh Giken HandiMate Cleaning Tool 

The Seikoh Giken USA Inc. Fiber Optic Products Division is 

announcing the release of its newest addition to the TechMate 

line of optical connector cleaning and restoration products. A 

pocket-sized, fully contained cleaning tool, the HandiMate 

cleaner provides a simple, foolproof method for removing all 

types of oils, dust and debris from optical connector endfaces. 

The compact, palm-sized HandiMate is the simplest, most 

economical cleaning tool currently on the market for both field 

installation and in bench-top laboratories requiring optimum 

performance for critical applications. 

The patented Slide-Guide feature accommodates both 

2.5mm (FC, SC, ST) and 1.25mm (LC, MU) ceramic ferrules 

– and allows the user to properly align both PC polished and 

APC angle polished optical connectors for maximum cleaning 

of the critical fiber core. Using a proprietary, nonwoven microfiber, 

the HandiMate can be operated as both a dry cleaner for 

light dust and lint and as a wet cleaner for dried-on salts and 

alcohol residue. 



The cleaning tape advances each time the Slide-Guide is activated, 

further simplifying the field operation. A small window 

on the side of the tool indicates when the tape is finished – at 

around 500 or more applications. Another innovative feature: 

The body of the HandiMate is made of an anti-static material, 

allowing the tool to be used in bench-top applications where 

ESD compliance is required. 

Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Unveils New 

FTTx Bend-Insensitive Ribbon Drop Cable for 

MDU and Versatile FTTx 

Sumitomo Electric Lightwave (www. 

sumitomoelectric.com) is announcing its 

ITU-657A compliant, fire-retardant Pure- 

Fit Ribbon Drop Cable for the last drop 

to the premises or home at the upcoming 

Nashville FTTH Conference, Booth 721. 

Prompted by the growing preference for 

ribbon products in FTTx network and 

MDU applications, Sumitomo designed 

the cable to allow for mass fusion splicing, 

quicker and easier gel-free cable entry and faster fiber access 

through easy-peel ribbon technology, which eliminates the 

need for special tools and increases the speed and number of 

both fusion splicing and connectorized terminations. 

The gel-free ribbon drop cable is available with 12-fiber PureAccess 

bend-insensitive single-mode fiber that complies with 

ITU-657A standards. The incorporation of bend-insensitive 

fiber improves flexibility with bend-radiuses half that of standard 

SMF ribbon, thereby enabling tighter routing and minimizing 

the space within terminals, hubs, ONTs, and MDU 

applications. 

The use of ribbon in terminals improves reliability, handling 

and storage by eliminating buffer tube issues such as kinking, 

stranding buffer tube memory and shrinkage. 

As the final link to the end user, the ribbon drop cable is 

compatible with standard multifiber connectors for plug-andplay 

deployments, and may be used for both aerial and buried 

FTTx applications. 

Especially well suited for MDU applications, the new ribbon 

drop cable is manufactured with flame-retardant material 

and has been tested for P-clamp compatibility, which makes it 

a versatile solution for both aerial and buried applications. The 

versatile attributes of the new cable also allow the installer to 

use the cable outdoors and within buildings without changing 

cable types. The new cable is available in a convenient reel-inthe-box 

packaging. 

Mass fusion splicing and connectorized terminations are 

made easier with Sumitomo’s Easy Split & Peel technology. 

The dry ribbon cable design allows the installer or technician 

to bypass the cable cleaning procedure and to quickly and easily 

peel back the ribbon, by hand, to expose the underlying 

fiber in preparation for connectorization or splicing. 

With the new ribbon drop cable, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave 

will also showcase its new Lynx CustomFit Splice-on connector, 

its broad range of ribbon and loose-tube cables, and the 

industry’s only dual-heater single- and mass-fusion splicers. 

Verizon FiOS TV Makes New York City Debut 

Verizon (www.verizon.com) has begun offering FiOS TV service 

in New York City. Final regulatory approval was granted 

on July 16 by the New York Public Service Commission. Verizon 

is offering as many as 100 high-definition channels to the 

metro New York market, more than Time Warner or Cablevision, 

the incumbents. The first launch is in 108 neighborhoods, 

with 300,000 households passed. 

Customers in these neighborhoods have been signing up 

early for FiOS TV, and Maura Breen, Verizon general manager 

for New York notes, “These advance orders blew past all of our 

projections.” By the end of 2008, the company expects to have 

a half-million homes open for triple-play in New York City. 

One bundle for $94.99 a month features: 

• FiOS Internet service with a maximum connection speed 

of 20 megabits per second (Mbps) downstream and 5 Mbps 

upstream. 

• Verizon Freedom Essentials telephone service with unlimited 

local and long-distance calling. 

• FiOS TV service with 54 free HD channels. 

Other bundles include even faster Internet service of 20/20 

Mbps, plus all standard- and high-definition premium channels. 

Says Breen, “Our engineering and installation teams have 

been able to wire some 800 MDUs already. Using this innovative 

[bend-insensitive fiber] technology has really given us a 

boost in designing build plans for these buildings. And we’re 

in discussions with hundreds of other building and property 

owners to bring FiOS to their properties. It’s a huge marketing 

advantage to have apartments that are FiOS-ready.” BBP 

FTTH Conference Special Applications Workshop 

THURSDAY September 25 

9 am to 12 noon (Includes Breakfast) 

Hot Applications 

Generating Revenue 

for Properties 

Includes First Annual Broadband Applications Awards 

Session Leaders: 

Herb Hauser – Pres, Midtown Technologies 

Graham Richard – Frmr Mayor, FTTH Champion and 

Visionary 

Henry Pye – Asst. VP, Res Svcs & Technology, JPI Partners 

Masha Zager – Editor, Apps & Telecom, BBP Magazine 

Ed Zyszkowski – CEO, Steeplechase Networks 

Rob Scheschareg – President, MedConcierge 

Herb Hauser 

Co-Sponsors: 

• Tellabs • Multilink • Optelian • Clearfield • Telect 

Register at the FTTH Conference 



Exclusive BBP 

Tear-Out Compact Schedule 

Sunday Sept. 21 

1:00 pm-5:00 pm Registration 

Monday Sept. 22 

7:00 am-5:00 pm Registration 

8:00 am-1:00 pm WORKSHOP: Home Networking: WhatShould 

You Know and Why Should You Care 

* Additional fee applies 

David Waks, Sandra Teger 

8:30 am-11:00 am DEVELOPER PANEL: The Art and Science 

of Serving New Developments with FTTH 

* Additional fee applies 

David Russell, Frankie Denmark, 

Jeff Beekhoo, Luke Lapierre, Mike Powers 

11:00 am-11:15 am Break 

11:15 am-12:00 pm TRACK SESSION: Network Design - 

Construction & Management Fiber Plant Cable 

Locating and Monitoring in FTTX Strategies 

Thomas Wolstencroft 

11:15 am-12:00 pm TRACK SESSION: Technology 

Green Technologies for FTTH 

Dan Parsons 

11:15 am-12:00 pm TRACK SESSION: Business & Regulatory - 

Challenges - Opportunities 

Key Legislative and Regulatory Issues Affecting 

Fiber Projects 

Jim Baller 

11:15 am-12:00 pm TRACK SESSION: Success Stories 

The Great Divide: Choosing How to Use Your 

Fiber Network 

David Fleming 

Lunch 

1:00 pm-4:00 pm Corporate Officer Executive Round Table 

Don Tapscott, Author 

By Invitation Only 

1:00 pm-1:45 pm TRACK SESSION: Network Design - Construction 

& Management 

Cost Effective Brownfield FTTH Using Multiple 

Deployment Methods 

Lisa Payne 

1:00 pm-1:45 pm TRACK SESSION: Technology 

Next Generation PON: What is Beyond GPON 

Scott Wilkinson 

1:00 pm-1:45 pm TRACK SESSION: Business & Regulatory - 


Profiting from the Long Tail: Tapping 

Non-traditional Content for New Revenue 

Opportunities 

Mike O’Malley 

1:00 pm-1:45 pm TRACK SESSION: Success Stories 

FTTH - An MSO’s Perspective and Experiences 

Roger Hughes 

JACKSON AB 

PRESIDENTIAL 

B 

RYMAN 

BALLROOM A 

RYMAN 

BALLROOM D 

RYMAN 

STUDIO D & E 

RYMAN 

STUDIO F & G 

RYMAN 

BALLROOM A 

RYMAN 

BALLROOM D 

RYMAN 

STUDIO D & E 

RYMAN 

STUDIO F & G 

1:00 pm-2:45 pm Municipal Panel: Lessons Learned and Recipes 

for Successes 

Beth Ringley, John George, Stephen Hopkins, 

Terry Huval, Wes Kelley 


& Management 

Fundamental FTTH Planning and Design 

David Stallworth 


Making ‘Smart’ Intelligent With FTTH 

Mike Smalley 



Structuring Wired Community Arrangements 

For A Changing Regulatory Environment 

Lawrence Freedman 


Dumont, Iowa; Moving at the Speed of Light 

Rick Schiavinato, Roger Kregel 

PRESIDENTIAL 

B 

RYMAN 

BALLROOM A 

RYMAN 

BALLROOM D 

RYMAN 

STUDIO D & E 

RYMAN 

STUDIO F & G 

Tuesday Sept. 23 


7:00 am-8:00 am Continental Breakfast Reception: Presentation 

7:20 am – Solving the Bandwidth Problem 

Jim Farmer, Enablence Wave7 FTTx Networks 

Division 

8:00 am-10:15 am KEYNOTE & Awards Presentations 

Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes 

Everything 

Don Tapscott, Author 

Break 

10:30 am-11:30 am PANEL: Global Carrier Keynote 

Global FTTH Leadership: Transforming the 

Access Network 

Clark Kinlin, James Hansen, Lo Sui-Lun, PRESIDENTIAL 

Mark Wegleitner 

D 

11:30 am-3:30 pm Exhibit Hall opens EXPO Hall 

Noon-2:00 pm Lunch EXPO Hall 

3:45 pm-5:00 pm PANEL: ITCo 

Lessons Learned from Real-World FTTP 

Deployments: Is There a Blueprint for Success 

David Casstevens, Jack Field, Kevin Maes, PRESIDENTIAL 

Mark Letham 

B 


& Management 

Enhanced Cost Solutions for Buried Fiber 

Installation 

RYMAN 

George McGuire 

BALLROOM A 




Understanding and Optimizing MDU Optical 

Cabling Systems 

John George 



Competition: Deal With It 

Jim Farmer, Enablence Wave7 FTTx Networks 

Division 


Connecting a Community to the World, 

One Customer at a Time. 

Stephen Hopkins 


& Management 

Evolution of the Digital Home 

Keith Russell 


IPTV: What Not to Do 

Jim Farmer, Kevin Bourg 



Surveying the Market Opportunity for FTTH 

Providers 

Joseph Kestel 


The Biggest Technology Leader in Town: 

Burlington Telecom’s Success with FTTx 

Mike Flora 

6:00 pm-8:00 pm International Attendee Reception 

By Invitation Only 

Wednesday, Sept. 24 


7:00 am-8:00 am Continental Breakfast 

8:00 am-9:00 am PANEL: Government & Regulatory 

What’s Left to Fight About 

Eric Reed, James Salter, Jim Baller, Larry Irving 

8:00 am-8:45 am TRACK SESSION: Network Design - Construction 

& Management 

Scaling Beyond Gigabit Passive Optical 

Networks 

Muneer Zuhdi 

8:00 am-8:45 am TRACK SESSION: Technology 

Video Technology and Video Testing in the 

Access 

John Williams 

8:00 am-8:45 am TRACK SESSION: Business & Regulatory - 


Being First in North Carolina: Challenges of 

Municipal Broadband Deployment 

Bhavani Rao, Michael Basham 

8:00 am-8:45 am TRACK SESSION: Success Stories 

Local Town, Local Network - Light years Ahead 

of the Rest. 

Travis Michette 

Break 

RYMAN 

BALLROOM D 

RYMAN 

STUDIO D & E 

RYMAN 

STUDIO F & G 

RYMAN 

BALLROOM A 

RYMAN 

BALLROOM D 

RYMAN 

STUDIO D & E 

RYMAN 

STUDIO F & G 

PRESIDENTIAL 

B 

RYMAN 

BALLROOM A 

RYMAN 

BALLROOM D 

RYMAN 

STUDIO D & E 

RYMAN 

STUDIO F & G 


& Management 

FTTH Physical Layer Monitoring Systems: 

Benefits and Issues 

RYMAN 

Jerome Laferriere, JDSU 

BALLROOM A 


New RF Return Path Technologies for GPON RYMAN 

Craig Pasek 

BALLROOM D 



IPTV: Leveraging FTTH to the Fullest 

RYMAN 

Bernie Arnason 

STUDIO D & E 


Auburn, Indiana FTTP Network: Vision, Planning 

and Leadership Equal Success 

RYMAN 

Chris Schweitzer, Scott Bowles 

STUDIO F & G 

Break 


& Management 

An Economic Comparison of FTTH vs. FTTN 

Architectures 

RYMAN 

Patrick Sims, ADC 

BALLROOM A 


The Case for All-Fiber MSO Networks 

RYMAN 

Mark Conner 

BALLROOM D 



Europe: Crossing the Chasm to Mass Market 

Fiber 

Joeri Van Bogaert, FTTH Council Europe 

JACKSON AB 



Overbuilding with FTTH: Successful Case Studies RYMAN 

David Russell, Calix 

STUDIO D & E 


Successful FTTx Deployment is a Commitment RYMAN 

Frank Latini, Tammy Snyder 

STUDIO F & G 

Break 

11:00 am-2:00 pm Exhibit Hall opens (on your own for lunch) EXFO Hall 

2:15 pm-3:30 pm PANEL: Connections 

Connecting Video to the End User 

Floyd Wagoner, James Strothmann, Mike Miller, RYMAN 

Phil Lonigro 

BALLROOM D 

2:15 pm-3:30 pm PANEL: Finance 

Panel: Putting the Pieces Together 

RYMAN 

David Parker, John Andrews, Richard Pierce BALLROOM A 

3:30 pm-4:00 pm Break 

3:45 pm-5:00 pm KEYNOTE: Closing General Session 

Brian Mefford, Connected Nation 

Thursday Sept. 25 

8:00 am-Noon WORKSHOP: Applications for MDU Deployers 

by Broadband Properties 

Presidential 

* Additional fee applies (includes breakfast) B 

8:00 am-4:00 pm WORKSHOP: Outside Plant Passive Optical 

Networking (Fiber 102) by The Light Brigade 

* Additional fee applies JACKSON AB 

This section continues on page 93. 


Continued from Page 60 


EXHIBITOR NAME BOOTH EXHIBITOR NAME BOOTH EXHIBITOR NAME BOOTH 

2009 Registration Desk................... 1099 

3M Company .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1007 

A-D Technologies.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1404 

ADC.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413 

Adesta.................................. 1305 

Adtran.................................. 1209 

Advanced Media Technologies .. . . . . . . . . . . 326 

AFL Telecommunications................. 322 

AiDi Corporation.......................... 722 

Alcatel - Lucent.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 907 

Allied Telesis, Inc.......................... 809 

Alpha Technologies.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1129 

American Products, LLC.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1206 

Anritsu .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1204 

AOC Technologies........................ 931 

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc............... 816 

BICSI Advancing Information Systems .. . . 1312 

Broadband Properties .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1721 

Byers Engineering....................... 1210 

Calix...................................... 613 

Carina Technology, Inc.................... 1030 

Channell Commercial Corp. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313 

Charles Industries, Ltd... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 

Ciena Corporation .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1013 

Cisco Systems, Inc... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1325 

Clearfield, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 

CommScope.............................. 821 

Communication Supply Corp. .. . . . . . . . . . . . 716 

Connected Nation, Inc .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1707 

Coppergate.............................. 1213 

Corning Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507 

CSI Digital .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 832 

CSSA .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1306 

Discovery Semiconductors, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . 1208 

Ditch Witch.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 725 

Draka Comteq.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703 

DSM Desotech Inc .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1431 

eFiberTools.com .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317 

EMBARQ Logistics........................ 825 

Emerson Network Power.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 

Enablence Wave7 FTTx Networks.. . . . . . . . . 925 

Ericsson Inc. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1225 

ETI Software Solutions, Inc................. 316 

EXFO.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 

Falcon IP/Complete.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1107 

Fiber Instrument Sales .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325 

Finley Engineering Company............. 1427 

Firecomms Ltd. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 729 

FTTH Council .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 999 

Furukawa America.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1207 

General Machine Products .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 530 

Graybar.................................. 222 

Great Lakes Data Systems.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1031 

GS Battery USA (Inc.).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 812 

Harmonic Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 932 

Hitachi Telecom (USA), Inc... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425 

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.. ............ 808 

ILSINTECH Co., Ltd .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903 

IPG Photonics............................ 1232 

JDSU Uniphase Corporation.............. 1303 

Kabel-X USA.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1113 

KGP .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1203 

K-M-D .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1318 

Knology Provider Solutions Group........ 1307 

Last Mile/Benjamin Media................ 1104 

Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.. . . . . . . . . . 1034 

Lightwave Magazine.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 811 

Lode Data Corporation................... 1417 

MapCom Systems......................... 629 

Martin Group.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1103 

MasTec North America, Inc................. 806 

MCR Broadband .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1313 

Modular Connections, LLC. .............. 1311 

Montclair Fiber Optics Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 709 

Motorola .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513 

Multicom, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1331 

Multilink.................................. 803 

National Telco Television Consortium.. . . . 1426 

NEC Corporation of America. ............ 1215 

NEC FiberOptech. ....................... 1421 

NEPTCO .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1216 

Norscan Instruments Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1304 

Nortel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 831 

Occam Networks. ........................ 599 

OFS...................................... 913 

Oldcastle Precast Enclosure Solutions. ... 1003 

OPASTCO.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1231 

Optelian.................................. 799 

OSP Magazine.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1411 

PacketFront. ............................ 1403 

Pannaway Technologies................... 407 

PCT International, Inc .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 714 

Pelsue Company.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 

Phoenix Contact.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1004 

Photop Technologies, Inc... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1432 

Power & Telephone Supply Company...... 904 

Preformed Line Products.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 

Prysmian Cables & Systems. .............. 704 

Quanta Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327 

Quazite (Hubbell Lenoir City, Inc.). ........ 807 

ReadyLinks, Inc........................... 1321 

S&N Communications, Inc. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 707 

Seikoh Giken USA......................... 208 

SENKO Advanced Components, Inc. .. . . . . . 710 

Sherman & Reilly Inc....................... 813 

StellarRad Systems....................... 1425 

Sterlite Technologies..................... 1130 

Sumitomo Electric Lightwave. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 721 

Superior Essex.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 708 

Taikan Company Inc... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1715 

Tandberg Television...................... 1719 

TecHome Builder Magazine .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1713 

Telco Systems, Inc. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 711 

Telect Inc.. .............................. 1332 

Telephony.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1705 

Tellabs. ................................. 1513 

TeraSpan Networks .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1029 

Tetra Tech Construction Services Inc.. ..... 715 

The Light Brigade Inc... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630 

TriAccess Technologies.................... 299 

Tyco Electronics. ......................... 307 

Underground Construction 

Pipeline News......................... 1709 

USDA Rural Development.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1212 

Verizon Enhanced Communities.......... 1315 

Vermeer Corporation & HammerHead.. . . . 529 

Walker and Associates. .................. 1221 

Windstream Supply.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800 

Xangati.................................. 1228 



Linking Communities at the Speed of Light 

2008 FTTH Conference & Expo Spotlights 

Industry Growth, Consumer Technology Advancements 

By Joe Savage ■ FTTH Council 

What a difference seven years 

make. When the FTTH 

Council North America held 

its first annual conference in 2001, the 

attendees fit neatly into a small hotel 

ballroom in New Orleans for a discussion 

on the technological and business 

potential for running fiber all the way to 

America’s homes and businesses. 

This year, with more than 10 percent 

of North America now passed by fiber-tothe-home 

networks and with more than 

3 million households now directly connected 

with fiber, this industry is coming 

of age. The question is not whether fiber 

will almost completely supplant copper 

in the first mile, but how fast. 

As this industry has matured – and as 

its expanse has come to include not only 

the makers of FTTH equipment but also 

the providers of video, Internet and voice 

services over direct fiber networks – the 

Council’s annual Conference & Expo 

has grown into a major telecommunications 

industry event. More than 2,000 

people from every corner of the FTTH 

industry are expected to attend this 

year’s gathering, to be held September 

21–25 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort 

and Convention Center in Nashville. 

FTTH Growth 

No doubt this event will be held amid 

an atmosphere of ongoing growth, as 

more than 600 providers continue to 

deploy networks big and small. The 

Council will likely announce another 

year of nearly 100 percent growth rates 

in subscriber connections – much of it 

directly attributable to the success of 

Verizon’s massive investment in deploying 

its FiOS FTTH network. But there 

are literally hundreds of smaller telecom 

companies, MSOs, municipal governments 

and public electric power companies 

turning to FTTH as well. 

They all have one thing in common: 

the view that only FTTH can meet 

North America’s appetite for more and 

more bandwidth. 

This march toward our fiber future 

is already having a profound impact on 

the way Americans live, work, play and 

communicate. 

Ultra-high-speed broadband is transforming 

communities across North 

America and throughout the world. 

Certainly it has changed the economic 

playing field for small rural companies, 

allowing them to compete on an international 

level. We are seeing new and more 

robust digital services brought to outlying 

areas and, with that, new access to 

information, education and health care. 

And, in facilitating telecommuting and 

other alternative work arrangements, 

high-speed broadband is now contributing 

positively to productivity, lifestyles 

and conservation of fossil fuels. 

Tapscott on 

Virtual Communities 

High-speed Internet, powered by fiber 

optic networks brought right to the 

home, has not only transformed existing 

communities but created new ones. You- 

Tube, MSN, Skype and blogging – even 

video blogging – have created virtual 

communities connecting people across 

the globe in ways never imagined. Who 

knows what this will mean for future 

generations 

That question will be on the minds 

of conference delegates at Linking Communities 

at the Speed of Light as keynote 

speaker Don Tapscott opens the event 

with a preview of his newest release, 

“Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation 

is Changing the World.” 

Tapscott, author of the international 

best seller “Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration 

Changes Everything,” will 

speak to how the Net Generation will 

affect every social infrastructure as we 

know it – government, education, medical 

services, economics, and even the 

ways in which we define community. 

Tapscott will also lead an executive summit 

where he will share his findings on 

the behavior and attitudes of Net-citizens 

(“netizens”) and what challenges the telecommunications 

industry can expect to 

face as a result. 

The 2008 FTTH Conference & 

Expo will attract decision makers from 

telecom service providers, municipalities 

and utility companies as well as a 

wide range of FTTH professionals who 

provide content, services and technology 

for network deployment. This year’s 

program is supported by leaders in the 

telecommunications industry including 

foundation sponsor ADC. Alcatel-Lucent, 

AT&T, Corning, Embarq, Ericsson, 

Hitachi and Motorola head up the 

roster of platinum sponsors. 

This year’s theme is timely, given 

the significant growth rate in connected 

homes and communities across the 

country. As more consumers experience 



As consumers become more 

educated about broadbandenabled 

products, demand for 

them will increase. 

the benefits of increased bandwidth at work and at home, communities 

are enhanced in ways that cannot be ignored. 

Conference Highlights 

There will be no shortage of topics from which to choose in 

the conference program. Thirty track sessions offer delegates 

the opportunity to learn from their peers and FTTH experts. 

Success stories, challenges and lessons learned, financing resources, 

legislative and regulatory issues, revenue-generating 

content and generating revenue are on the agenda – all with a 

focus on how to increase profitability, access and success. 

Conference panels are a popular program feature offering 

a range of opinions and perspectives on each key topic. 

This year’s keynote panel will debate whether or not there is 

a blueprint for success when it comes to FTTP deployment. 

ADC, the conference’s 2008 foundation sponsor, has brought 

together a distinguished panel of experts who share essential 

information for making decisions about network architecture. 

Additional hot topics for panel discussion range from how to 

secure subscribers to video services to municipal challenges in 

deploying fiber. 

For the first time this year, the conference offers both preand 

post-conference workshops for those who want to earn 

BICSI CEC credit or who are interested in specific topics presented 

with a hands-on approach. 

Preceding the conference on Monday are workshops on 

“The Art and Science of New Developments with FTTH” and 

“Home Networking: What Should You Know.” 

Conference activities will wrap up with two post-conference 

workshops on “Fiber 102” and an applications workshop 

on “Making Your Property Competitive,” sponsored by Broadband 

Properties Magazine. The first annual Broadband Applications 

Awards will be presented during the workshop. 

Exhibit Highlights 

The 2008 Expo hall has been described as one-stop shopping for 

deployers who are looking for suppliers and manufacturers to 

support their networks. This is the most comprehensive exhibition 

in the FTTH industry, offering attendees the widest range 

of solutions they’ll see under one roof. Key business relationships 

are developed that extend well beyond the conference. 

Standout features of the Expo include the Fiber-Powered 

Pavilion and the Home Networking Zone. The Fiber-Powered 

Pavilion started as an interactive, educational opportunity 

demonstrating how applications such as online gaming, video 

on demand and distance learning are enhanced when delivered 

over a fiber optic network. 

The Pavilion concept has now been extended to include a 

Home Networking Zone that showcases next-generation devices 

and home-based applications over fiber originating from 

the Fiber Powered Pavilion. Each room in the futuristic home 

is set up with corresponding devices such as a security system, 

energy management applications, online entertainment, multimedia 

systems, HDTV and more. Visitors can “play” with 

the interactive demos and learn more about the devices from 

manufacturers available to answer questions. 

When these devices are brought to life in an interactive 

setup, visitors understand what a life-enhancing amenity fiber 

to the home really is. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. As 

consumers become more educated about broadband-enabled 

products, demand will continue to increase and the next-generation 

applications we see here today will be common place in 

homes and businesses across America. 

North America continues to be the fastest-growing region 

for FTTH – on a path to the 100 Mbit Nation that is no longer 

a pipe dream but a technological and economic imperative if 

our continent is to continue its global leadership. Anyone with 

a stake in our broadband future should come to Nashville and 

see what the FTTH industry is doing to make this transformation 

happen. BBP 

About the Author 

Joe Savage is president of North America’s FTTH Council. 

The Fiber-to-the-Home council, the imcc and 

Broadband Properties magazine 

congratulate 

For becoming the official daily Planner sponsor 

at the 2009 Broadband Properties summit. 

For more information on Element Customer Care, 

visit www.elementcare.com. 

You are cordially invited to come see 

Element Customer Care at the upcoming 

April 27 – 29, 2009 

Hyatt Regency DFW • Dallas, TX 

new Profit opportunities: 

liVinG - WorKinG - PlaYinG 

With sessions especially for: 

– Developers – Property Owners – Municipal Officials 

– Independent Telcos – Economic Development Professionals 

– Town Planners 

To Exhibit or Sponsor, contact: 

Irene Gonzales at 

irene@broadbandproperties.com, or call 316-733-9122. 

& For other inquiries, call 877-588-1649, 

or visit www.bbpmag.com 



Q&A 

with Mike Render: 

The Growth Fantastic 

The reach of FTTH networks continues to grow, and to grow fast, even in 

this uncertain economy. Fiber’s premier market researcher talks about why, 

and what the future will bring. 

A BBP Staff Report 

BBP Editor-in-Chief Steve Ross 

interviewed Michael Render of 

RVA early in August to discuss 

the factors behind fiber’s continued 

strong momentum. Render, who has 

been studying the fiber-to-the-home 

market for years, is uniquely positioned 

to draw lessons from the latest numbers, 

and to offer predictions about where and 

why future growth will occur. For more 

information, including how to purchase 

his reports, see www.RVALLC.com. 

BBP: As we’ve been looking at project 

announcements, we’re seeing an obvious 

cutback in greenfields. Anyone who 

was dependent solely or mainly on new 

construction is rethinking business 

cases. But to compensate, we’re seeing 

a big increase in MDU projects, taking 

The upswing in fiber deployments to 

multiple dwelling units is partly because of 

the new bend-tolerant fiber technology, 

and partly because it was time for this 

market to be addressed. 

advantage of the latest deployment technologies. 

All this is anecdotal, of course, 

and we have to dig hard to find out 

about projects that are being cut back 

or abandoned. Are you seeing the same 

pattern in your more systematic market 

research 

Render: Yes, there is definitely an upswing 

on the MDU side. 

BBP: Is it mainly because of bend-tolerant 

fiber technology or because the 

MDU and urban area operators basically 

decided it was their time 

Render: It is some of both. It was time 

for the market to be addressed somehow. 

I think the technologies helped drive the 

solution to fiber. 

BBP: Can you tell from your surveying 

whether it’s FTTH or fiber to the basement 

– FTTB – that’s more common 

Forget Verizon for a minute because we 

know it has a multi-unit ONT solution, 

used where necessary. But do you have 

any feeling about anyone else 

Render: We’re really trying to get a better 

handle on that right now by doing 

some particular surveying in that area 

because when people compare FTTH 

in other countries to the US, so many 

of those other countries are building a 

lot of FTTB. Certainly some FTTB has 

been out there awhile in North America, 

particularly in midrise and high-rise 

apartments and condos. 

BBP: Has the specific attraction for 

FTTH by developers changed much 

over the year Are they trying, for instance, 

to make more money from services 

Or are they trying to offer the 

amenity because granite countertops 

can only take them so far 

Render: I think it’s definitely because 

they’re looking for any product differentiation 

they can get. The attraction of 

FTTH has gone up among potential tenants 

and buyers; they see FTTH as having 

more potential long-term value than 

things like the granite countertops. 

Greenfield has been hit in two ways. 

First, the number of new homes being 

built on existing lots is of course down 

considerably. Second, many, many 

brand-new developments have been 

put off. Developers are waiting to break 

ground on them, but they’ve been put 

off at least a year. Neither they nor their 

customers can get financing. 



This of course influences the number 

of homes passed by FTTH because 

brand-new developments breaking 

ground or planned now are heavily into 

fiber; it looks to us to be 80 percent of 

the homes in new developments, MDUs 

and master-planned communities. Developments 

that were conceived earlier 

are also heavily using FTTH, but not at 

that rate. 

As the cable operators deploy RFOG – radio 

frequency over glass – it will give them a 

platform to move to more traditional FTTH 

architectures in the future. RFOG buys them 

six or seven years of headroom. 

Raising Revenue 

BBP: Is there any evidence that ARPU 

[average revenue per user] is up at all in 

FTTH households We certainly see 

ARPU around $90-$100 per month for 

cable company triple-play households, 

and Verizon is claiming average tripleplay 

ARPU $20 or more above that for 

FiOS. But again, that’s based on reporting 

we’ve done in communities where 

they compete, and in some others. 

Render: Yes, ARPU is definitely higher, 

because with fiber you can provide more 

services. I think Verizon has seen that 

but the smaller guys have seen that even 

more so. 

BBP: Are there any particular services 

that come to mind as killer applications 

We’ve been publishing news of many innovative 

high-margin apps but we have 

no good data as to just which ones are 

revenue or profit leaders. 

Render: I don’t know. These additions 

to triple-play services are still not providing 

much revenue. It’s all still in an 

experimental stage as far as the business 

case is concerned. Take videoconferencing. 

Experimentally, the technology is 

doing very well, but in terms of numbers 

it’s not big. Off-site storage and security 

and all those kinds of things are starting 

to produce real revenue, though. 

BBP: We see providers are trying to get 

beyond the commoditization of “cablestyle” 

video by expanding video on demand. 

Verizon announced that it’s going 

to get its VoD catalog up to 10,000 

choices. But do you see any hint at all of 

North Americans doing what the Japanese 

have been doing At NTT there are 

hundreds of thousands of services offered 

by its partners and each one brings 

in a little bit of revenue but at a very high 

margin as near as we can tell. So 5 to10 

percent of the revenue might provide 15 

to 20 percent of the profits. 

Render: We keep looking for this here, 

but there’s no evidence I can cite to give 

you statistics yet. There are trends in 

that direction, however. 

BBP: Many of those killer apps are on 

the Web anyway. So what happens is 

that the ILECs here are selling the commodity 

bandwidth, which is good, but 

the cost per Mbps is drifting downward. 

And the guys on the Web are getting 

the revenue, though with lower profit 

margins than in Asia because marketing 

is more difficult for them against the 

clutter of the Web itself. Billing is also 

difficult because they have only a weak 

customer relationship. 

Render: It’s difficult to predict how revenue 

distribution per service will be spread 

around in the future. Certainly it’s not all 

going to go to network owners. 

New FTTH Technologies 

BBP: RFOG (RF Over Glass) is getting 

more notice because there are now suddenly 

many vendors offering this alternative 

to Ethernet for DOCSIS networks. 

Are you seeing more RFOG builds I 

think you said there were a half-dozen 

RFOG builds as of last September. 

Render: There’s definitely more interest 

in 2008. Many cable providers are experimenting 

with RFOG. 

BBP: The MSOs or the little guys 

Render: Mainly the little guys, but the 

MSOs are experimenting with it as well. 

They’ve got little trials going here and 

there. They’re waiting for standards. 

They see the writing on the wall when it 

comes to FTTH and this is a compatible 

FTTH technology for their networks. I 

think they’re starting out with RFOG 

in greenfields and serving commercial 

premises. 

BBP: RFOG is not cheap for them to 

do, and this gives them only six or seven 

years of headroom, I would think. Do 

they eventually have to switch over to a 

more Ethernet-standard network 

Render: I think so. Choice of technology 

that makes sense for an enterprise is 

based in part on its existing knowledge 

base and in part on ego. As you know, a 

lot of people are looking at developing 

RFOG equipment and of course a lot of 

the big potential deployers are going to 

hold off for something standards-based. 

As they deploy RFOG, this will give 

them a platform to eventually move to 

more traditional FTTH architectures if 

they deem it best. 

BBP: Vendors that were late or shut out 

of the move toward GPON and left in 

the slower-growing EPON end of the 

business have been pushing RFOG, but 

of course there are GPON vendors doing 

RFOG as well. It’s difficult to make 

any money off this. Looking at the tea 

leaves, do you see any people leaning toward 

one vendor 

Render: I don’t have any solid information 

there. I think there is room for 

several players. 

Overbuilding 

BBP: Are there any parts of the county 

particularly hot for fiber, aside from areas 

in or near the Verizon footprint 

Render: It does vary. Aside from Verizon-impacted 

areas, FTTH tends to 

be hottest in areas where there’s a lot of 

independent ILEC activity. Examples 

are Iowa and Texas. Of course there are 

different factors around the country. 



Tennessee is pretty hot because of the municipal activity and 

Washington State because of the countywide public utility districts. 

In certain states where benchmarks were established to 

encourage broadband deployment, that has also helped. 

BBP: Do some states have better regulatory climate or is it the 

same all over 

Render: A poor regulatory climate can certainly depress activity, 

but on the whole it’s the same all over. There are some 

states that have a lot of small ILECs and that tends to generate 

activity because one ILEC hears about another one doing fiber. 

There’s just a lot of activity there – look at North Dakota, and 

Minnesota as well. 

BBP: Verizon is also starting to overbuild. The 60,000-household 

overbuild in Plano, Texas, was too big to ignore. In other 

places Verizon is filling in the bumps along its service boundaries, 

especially where it has a checkerboard of communities 

served, as with former General Telephone areas in Texas and 

California. Verizon is claiming it can make money with 20 to 

25 percent penetration. Maybe it is not a lot of money but I 

don’t know what Verizon’s target for returns might be. Is the 

threat of overbuilds a catalyst for some of the smaller ILECs in 

their target areas 

Render: I haven’t heard that per se but you know Verizon 

hasn’t crossed paths with ILECs all that much. 

“Opportunities multiply 

as they are seized.” 

— Sun Tzu, The Art of War 

April 27 – 29, 2009 

 

New Profit Opportunities: 

LIVING - WORKING - PLAYING 

Congratulations to these new participants 

who seized this opportunity 

Verizon Enhanced Communities, Official Corporate Host 

Time Warner, Platinum Sponsor 

ADC 

TeraSpan 

They’ve joined the 2009 Broadband Properties Summit 

as sponsors and exhibitors. 

To Exhibit or Sponsor, contact: 

Irene Gonzales at 

irene@broadbandproperties.com, or call 316-733-9122. 

For other inquiries, call 877-588-1649, or visit www.bbpmag.com 

BBP: Anything you want to say about what the next year or 

two is going to be like, on the eve of Nashville 

Render: I’m still looking at what the exact effects of the economic 

downturn might be. Obviously I’m bullish on continued 

strong growth. The real estate slump is going to end at some 

point. The housing inventory is coming down. Sales are going 

down, too, so housing hasn’t turned around yet, but it will be 

pretty dramatic once it does turn around. And overbuilding 

of copper with fiber is increasing. We’re just seeing more and 

more of the evidence that high bandwidth use is increasing. It 

continues to go up and up. Even without the dramatic killer 

applications we talked about, just everyday use like HDTV, 

uploading, downloading and so forth is pushing it forward. 

Business Cases 

BBP: Any advice to investors and providers, the people building 

networks 

Render: Investors sometimes make the mistake of only looking 

at return over an existing base, assuming that Verizon [for 

example] could keep its revenue on an ongoing level if it did 

nothing. Verizon, of course, has to invest or see its business 

disappear. That’s the curse of [network] facilities owners. 

BBP: Does this mean we need more government support – subsidies, 

tax benefits, whatever – to close the gap, especially in 

rural areas Doing so tilts against non-telco competitors, but 

also pushes us toward world-class broadband. 

Render: We see examples where people got their first wireline 

service from fiber in very rural areas. They pretty much upgraded 

from radio telephone. Usually there are grants or subsidies 

involved. I think there are potential private business models 

even for very rural areas, however, because the high potential 

take rate makes up at least in part for lower densities. Customers 

might also be willing to pay for some of the network, or 

provide sweat equity. People paid as much as $10,000 for large 

satellite dishes in 1980 – that’s a lot more in today’s dollars. 

BBP: Back 100 years ago in telephone cooperatives farmers got 

together and put in some real money but mainly put in sweat 

equity. Today the moral equivalent seems to be municipal. 

Through municipal builds customers are cooperating. But they 

are not building it themselves with their own hands. They’re 

too busy and the technology is not for amateurs. So is there 

more room for municipal builds 

Render: I think there is. It’s been relatively slow because of political 

pressures and the long time from concept to market. But 

I think there’s room for growth and places where these builds 

definitely fill a market need. 

BBP: We’ve already seen Verizon and other RBOCs sell off 

some of their rural business areas. But there are a lot of rural 

areas still served by RBOCs. They’re not sure what to do. 

Render: I get impression they’re going to experiment there 

rather than continue to sell off all such assets. Maybe they’ll 

figure out it’s not such a bad deal after all. BBP

FTTH NASHVILLE COVERAGE AT A GLANCE - Broadband Properties

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