Calix Adds to MSAP

PETALUMA, Calif. -- Calix today announced the addition of a new gigabit passive optical network (GPON) service interface module to its market leading C7 multiservice access platform (MSAP). The GPON module provides a full 2.4 Gbps to each of four optical line terminal (OLT) ports, enabling the delivery of advanced, very high bandwidth services such as high definition IPTV, to each of 256 attached subscribers from a single module, or 5,120 from a single Calix C7 MSAP. The multiservice nature of the C7 allows for the support of high-speed, high-density GPON services from the same platform used to support DSL, Gigabit Ethernet, BPON, SONET, and legacy copper services.

In addition to advanced residential services such as IPTV, RF video, and VOIP, the Calix C7 equipped with GPON modules elegantly supports high-margin business services. The complement of business services supported through small business unit (SBU) GPON optical network terminals (ONTs) includes Ethernet transparent LAN services

(TLS) as well as native T1 services that can be dropped directly from the CO- or RT-based Calix C7. The Calix C7 also provides fully integrated POTS and VOIP gateway functionality -- eliminating the need for cumbersome and costly external solutions.

When coupled with the already available 700-Series ONTs, the new GPON module allows service providers to transition 622 Mbps broadband passive optical network (BPON) infrastructure to 2.4 Gbps Ethernet-based GPON infrastructure with as little as 17 seconds of downtime per subscriber. This transition, which is enabled via auto-detect optics on the 700-Series ONTs and a simple upgrade wizard in the Calix Management System (CMS), requires no visit to the subscriber premises.

Frank Wiener, Calix vice president of product development, described the new GPON module as one more capability in a long series of enhancements designed to help service providers transform their access networks. "The very definition of broadband is changing as new services and heightened competition drive increasingly bandwidth-intensive network requirements. Faced with this reality, service providers are increasingly turning to GPON-based fiber to the premises (FTTP) as the ultimate broadband solution -- delivering the greatest capacity at the lowest ongoing operating cost."

In a separate release:

PETALUMA, Calif. -- Calix today announced an arsenal of new features for the market-leading Calix C7 multiservice access platform (MSAP) designed to significantly enhance the ability of service providers to deliver advanced Ethernet services. Collectively, these features equip service providers with the tools to improve the security, scalability, and quality of service of Ethernet deployed in the access network, while preserving the carrier-grade reliability that has been the hallmark of telephony service providers. The Calix C7 MSAP was designed from inception to seamlessly deliver traditional telephony services (POTS, specials, T1) and advanced, high-speed IP / Ethernet services across a multiprotocol access network. This architectural flexibility is the key to network and service transformation for communication service providers -- enabling a new generation of integrated IP / Ethernet information, communication, and entertainment services across fiber or copper.

Damon Dutz, president of HickoryTech's consumer solutions division(NASDAQ: HTCO), explains the strategic importance of carrier-grade Ethernet, "The ability to deliver new access technologies to our customer base while maintaining a high degree of service flexibility and control is a vital component of our access network evolution,"said Dutz. "With these Ethernet enhancements, Calix has enabled us to pursue new revenue opportunities -- including advanced switched digital video -- while leveraging our existing infrastructure and expanding our long-standing customer relationships."

Robert Balsamo, Calix director of network planning, sees this transition as critical, "As competitive challenges and consumer demand have redefined broadband service expectations, communications service providers have been forced to reevaluate their business models in terms of efficiency and service capabilities. The inclusion of advanced layer two switching and layer three forwarding functionality, which is required for full support of Ethernet services, on a multiservice platform gives service providers a clear path to delivery of secure IP / Ethernet services, while enhancing operational efficiency."

Calix Inc. (NYSE: CALX)