Verizon will soon begin deploying technology from Alcatel-Lucent that will dramatically improve the capabilities of its fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network.
The new technology, called a gigabit passive optical network (G-PON), increases the aggregate broadband speeds on Verizon's FTTP systems by four times downstream to the customer, and by eight times upstream back to the Internet. This provides the capability for future enhancements to FiOS Internet Services and FiOS TV. Verizon will be the first major telecommunications company to deploy the new technology to customers in the United States.
According to Mark Wegleitner, Verizon senior vice president and chief technology officer, the new technology will be rolled out first to a group of customers in Lewisville, TX, early this quarter, and then to a group of customers in Kirklyn, PA, over the summer.The company will announce its plans for expanding the G-PON deployment upon successfully completing its initial roll-out.
In the meantime, Verizon will continue deploying the broadband passive optical network (B-PON) technology it's used since 2004. Additionally, Verizon and Alcatel-Lucent have reached a definitive agreement under which Alcatel-Lucent will supply the G-PON equipment to Verizon.
For more information, visit: www.verizon.com.
