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Who Makes What: Broadband Access Equipment
Help categorize equipment and create a comprehensive list of vendors * Wireline & wireless * Where's your product? * Where's your company?
May 29, 2007
1h 4m Read
Broadband access is evolving at a rapid rate as subscriber rates around the world continue to soar. Carriers are expected to deliver, not only accelerating Internet access over their networks, but a bundle of converged services that include VOIP, video services, gaming, and, increasingly, HDTV – driving bandwidth requirements ever higher.
In the year since our last Who Makes What: Access Equipment report, carriers have ramped up deployment plans to extend fiber deep into the access network, in some cases as far as the home, and WiMax technology has moved from the trial stage to early commercial launch phase.
The market has also been altered by some major consolidation activity among vendors – the Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) merger, Nokia Networks , Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)'s acquisition spree, Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) buying Symbol Technologies, and so on. Such moves have seen products shift into different vendor portfolios or eliminated altogether. In fact, Alcatel-Lucent has yet to publicly release details of its finalized product portfolio and re-branding. (See Alcatel-Lucent Suffers Q1 Slump.)
As with previous "Who Makes What" reports published by Light Reading, this report provides an overview of the access equipment market, proposing a broad range of product categories and listing suppliers in each category.
We invite readers to contribute by flagging products or suppliers we might have missed, or pointing to ones that have been discontinued or acquired, so that the list is continually refined and updated. If you spot additions or revisions that need to be made, please let us know – either on the message board below, or by dropping us an email at [email protected], with "Who Makes What: Access" in the subject line.
Table 1 is a complete list of vendors and equipment categories featured in the report:Table 1: Access Equipment Vendors
Vendor | MSAPs/DSLAMs | Ethernet | PON | DSL Home Gateways | Wireless | Free-Space Optics | Powerline |
2Wire | YES | ||||||
3Com | YES | YES | |||||
3One Networks | YES | ||||||
Accedian Networks | |||||||
Accton Technology | YES | ||||||
Actelis Networks | YES | ||||||
Actiontec Electronics | YES | YES | |||||
Adaptix | YES | ||||||
Adtran | YES | YES | |||||
ADVA Optical Networking | YES | ||||||
AFL Telecom | YES | ||||||
Air Broadband Communications | YES | ||||||
Airspan Networks | YES | ||||||
Aktino | YES | ||||||
Alcatel-Lucent | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
Allied Telesis | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | |
Alloptic | YES | YES | |||||
Alpha Networks | YES | YES | |||||
Alphion | YES | ||||||
Alvarion | YES | ||||||
Ambient | YES | ||||||
Amedia Networks | YES | YES | |||||
Amperion | YES | ||||||
Anda Networks | YES | ||||||
Aoptix Technologies | YES | ||||||
Aperto Networks | YES | ||||||
Apple | YES | ||||||
Aptilo Networks AB | YES | ||||||
Aruba Wireless Networks | YES | ||||||
Askey Computer | YES | YES | |||||
Asoka USA | YES | ||||||
Asotel | YES | ||||||
Astoria Networks | YES | ||||||
AsusTek Computer | YES | ||||||
Atrica | YES | ||||||
Aurora Networks | YES | YES | |||||
Avilinks | YES | ||||||
AVM | YES | ||||||
Axerra Networks | YES | ||||||
Axxcelera Broadband Wireless | YES | ||||||
Aztech Systems | YES | ||||||
BelAir Networks | YES | ||||||
Belkin | YES | ||||||
Billion Electric | YES | ||||||
Broadata Communications | YES | ||||||
BroadLight | YES | ||||||
Buffalo Technology (USA) | YES | YES | |||||
Cablefree Solutions | YES | ||||||
Calix | YES | YES | |||||
Cambridge Broadband | YES | ||||||
Cameo Communications | YES | ||||||
Canon | YES | ||||||
Carrier Access | YES | ||||||
C-Com | YES | ||||||
Celerica | YES | ||||||
Centillium | YES | ||||||
Ceragon Networks | YES | ||||||
Ceterus Networks | YES | ||||||
China Gridcom | YES | ||||||
Ciena | YES | YES | |||||
Cisco | YES | YES | YES | ||||
Coastcom | YES | ||||||
Colubris Networks | YES | ||||||
Communication by light (CBL) | YES | ||||||
Comtech Systems | YES | YES | |||||
Comtrend | YES | ||||||
Conklin-Intracom | YES | ||||||
Corecess | YES | YES | YES | ||||
Corinex | YES | ||||||
Corning Cable Systems (CCS) | YES | ||||||
Critical Telecom | YES | ||||||
CTC Union | YES | ||||||
Current Technologies | YES | ||||||
Dasan Networks | YES | ||||||
Dataflex | YES | ||||||
DefiDev | YES | ||||||
Develo | YES | ||||||
Dimat | YES | ||||||
D-Link Systems | YES | YES | |||||
Dominion Lasercom | YES | ||||||
Dovado | YES | ||||||
DragonWave | YES | ||||||
DrayTek | YES | ||||||
EBA Powerline Communications | YES | ||||||
Echelon | YES | ||||||
ECI Telecom | YES | YES | |||||
EION Wireless | YES | ||||||
ElectroLinks | YES | ||||||
Enterasys Networks | YES | YES | |||||
Entone Technologies | YES | ||||||
Ericsson | YES | YES | YES | YES | |||
Extreme Networks | YES | ||||||
Extricom | YES | ||||||
FiberHome YES | YES | ||||||
Firetide | YES | ||||||
FlexLight Networks | YES | ||||||
Foundry Networks | YES | ||||||
Foxconn Electronics | YES | ||||||
fSona Communications | YES | ||||||
Fujikura | YES | ||||||
Fujitsu Network Communication | YES | ||||||
Fujitsu Telecom Europe | YES | ||||||
Furtera | YES | ||||||
Furukawa Electric | YES | ||||||
Gemtek Systems | YES | ||||||
Gemtek Technology | YES | ||||||
GigaFast | YES | ||||||
GW Technologies | YES | ||||||
Harmonic | YES | ||||||
Harris Stratex Networks | YES | ||||||
Hatteras Networks | YES | ||||||
Hewlett-Packard | YES | ||||||
Hitachi Telecom USA | YES | ||||||
Hitron Technologies | YES | YES | |||||
Holoplex Technologies | YES | ||||||
Huawei Technologies | YES | YES | YES | ||||
Iamba | YES | ||||||
InfiNet Wireless | YES | ||||||
Infrared Technologies America | YES | ||||||
InovaTech | YES | ||||||
Intellon | YES | ||||||
International Broadband Electric Communications (IBEC) | YES | ||||||
iRLan | YES | ||||||
Iskratel | YES | YES | YES | YES | |||
Juniper Networks | YES | YES | |||||
KeyMile | YES | ||||||
LaserBit Communications | YES | ||||||
LEA SAS | YES | ||||||
LG Electronics | YES | ||||||
LightPointe Communications | YES | ||||||
Locust World | YES | ||||||
Loop Telecom | YES | ||||||
LS Cable | YES | YES | |||||
LSA Photonics | YES | ||||||
Main.net Communications | YES | ||||||
Matisse Networks | YES | ||||||
Matsushita | YES | ||||||
Maxima | YES | ||||||
Meru Networks | YES | ||||||
Mesh Dynamics | YES | ||||||
Mitsubishi Electric | YES | YES | |||||
Mostcom | YES | ||||||
Motorola | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
MRV Communications | YES | YES | |||||
Narad Networks | YES | ||||||
Navini Networks | YES | ||||||
Nayna Networks | YES | YES | |||||
NEC | YES | YES | YES | YES | |||
Nera Networks | YES | ||||||
Netgear | YES | YES | |||||
Netopia | YES | ||||||
NextNet Wireless | YES | ||||||
Nokia Siemens Networks | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
Nortel Networks | YES | YES | |||||
Occam Networks | YES | YES | |||||
Oki Electric Industry | YES | YES | |||||
Omnilux | YES | ||||||
Omnitron Systems Technology | YES | ||||||
OrAccess | YES | ||||||
Orthogon Systems | YES | ||||||
Overture Networks | YES | ||||||
PacketFront | YES | YES | |||||
Panasonic | YES | ||||||
Pandatel | YES | ||||||
Pannaway | YES | ||||||
Patton Electronics | YES | YES | |||||
PAV Data Systems | YES | ||||||
Pirelli | YES | YES | |||||
Plaintree Systems | YES | ||||||
Postdata | YES | ||||||
Proxim Wireless | YES | ||||||
RAD Data Communications | YES | YES | |||||
Radionet | YES | ||||||
Raisecom Technology Development | YES | YES | YES | ||||
Redline Communications | YES | ||||||
Resolute Networks | YES | ||||||
RFL Electronics | YES | ||||||
Royal Philips Electronics | YES | ||||||
Ruckus Wireless | YES | ||||||
Sagem | YES | ||||||
Salira | YES | ||||||
Samsung Electronics | YES | YES | YES | ||||
Samwoo Communications | YES | ||||||
Sceptre Communications (UK) | YES | ||||||
Selex Communications | YES | ||||||
Seltatel | YES | ||||||
Sequans Communications | YES | ||||||
Silcom Manufacturing Technology | YES | ||||||
SkyPilot Networks | YES | ||||||
SMC Networks | YES | YES | |||||
Solectek | YES | YES | |||||
SOMA Networks | YES | ||||||
SR Telecom | YES | ||||||
Strix Systems | YES | ||||||
Sumitomo Electric Industries | YES | YES | |||||
Sunflower Technologies | YES | ||||||
Sycamore Networks | YES | ||||||
System Engineering International (SEI) | YES | ||||||
Tailyn | YES | ||||||
Tecom | YES | ||||||
Teknovus | YES | ||||||
Telco Systems (BATM) | YES | YES | YES | ||||
TeleData Networks | YES | ||||||
Telkonet | YES | ||||||
Tellabs | YES | YES | YES | ||||
Tellion YES | YES | YES | |||||
Telsey | YES | ||||||
Telsima | YES | ||||||
Telspec | YES | ||||||
TelStrat | YES | YES | |||||
Terawave Communications | YES | ||||||
Thomson | YES | ||||||
Tilgin | YES | ||||||
Toshiba | YES | ||||||
Trango Broadband Wireless | YES | ||||||
Trapeze Networks | YES | ||||||
Tropos Networks | YES | ||||||
TXP | YES | ||||||
Ubiquoss | YES | YES | |||||
U.S. Robotics | YES | YES | |||||
UTStarcom | YES | YES | YES | ||||
VIPA | YES | ||||||
Vocera Communications | YES | ||||||
Wave Wireless Networking | YES | ||||||
Wave7 Optics | YES | ||||||
Westell Technologies | YES | ||||||
WiNetworks | YES | ||||||
World Wide Packets | YES | YES | |||||
XAVi Technologies | YES | ||||||
Xeline | YES | ||||||
Xirrus | YES | ||||||
Yitran Communications | YES | ||||||
Zhone Technologies | YES | YES | YES | YES | |||
Zoom Telephonics | YES | YES | |||||
ZTE | YES | YES | YES | YES | |||
ZyXEL Communications | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
Here's a hyperlinked list of contents:
DSL Home Gateways
Powerline
Updates to this report since last year include:
More vendors/products added to each category
The combination of product lines for merged companies such as Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia Siemens
More in-depth coverage of the FTTx sector, including a comparison of passive optical networking technologies and vendors
Expanded coverage of WiMax technology
See the previous Who Makes What: Access Equipment for an explanation of the technologies and architectures that come under the umbrella of broadband access.
— Nicole Willing, Reporter, Light Reading
Next Page: DSLAMs & MSAPs
DSL technology continues to dominate the broadband market worldwide. According to research firm Point Topic Ltd. , at the end of 2006 DSL accounted for a 65.7 percent share of the 281 million global broadband subscribers. (See DSL Dominates B'band Growth.) Service providers are continuing to deploy DSL as a baseline access technology to meet growing demand for Internet service.
As triple-play services put ever larger demands on bandwidth, more carriers are opting to extend fiber from the central office to the street cabinet or curb, using DSL to bridge the final few hundred meters to the customer. With broadband connections moving into the tens and even hundreds of megabits, vendors are seeing increasing demand for ADSL2+ and VDSL2+ equipment.
DSLAMs
DSL access multiplexers sit at the edge of carrier networks, where DSL lines fan out to multiple customer sites. The DSLAM multiplexes the voice and data signals from customer modems/routers into a single signal that it feeds into the carrier's backbone. The basic components are a stack of multiple aggregation cards, upstream links, and power converters.
DSLAMs can be deployed in the central office (CO) or in remote terminals in the outside plant (OSP), but since DSL bit rates depend on the length of the line, carriers are ramping up deployment of remote DSLAMs in street cabinets.
IP DSLAMs
Vendors generally refer to any DSLAM with IP Layer functionality and non-ATM backhaul as an IP DSLAM. This includes not only Ethernet DSLAMs with a minimum of IP functionality, but also ATM DSLAMs with minimal or high IP functionality. The move to next-generation services and faster speeds has IP DSLAMs edging out ATM DSLAMs.
MSAPs
Multiservice access platforms – also known as broadband loop carriers (BLCs) or multiservice access nodes (MSANs) – integrate IP DSLAMs with other functions, such as VOIP media gateways, FTTx optical line terminals (OLTs), and packet transport, to handle multiple traffic types. In general, the term MSAP can refer to any DSL platform that delivers a range of services, based on IP, ATM, or TDM technology, over copper or fiber loops.
According to Windsor Oaks Group LLC , DSL ports represented 35 percent of total MSAP shipments last year, up 10 percent from 2005.
Table 2 lists vendors of central office DSLAMs, outside plant DSLAMs, and MSAPs:
Table 2: MSAP & IP DSLAM Suppliers
IP DSLAM Central Office | IP DSLAM Outside Plant | Multiservice Access Platform | ||
Adtran | Total Access 1100 | NO | YES | NO |
Adtran | Total Access 1200 | YES | YES | NO |
Adtran | Total Access 3000 | YES | YES | NO |
Adtran | Total Access 5000 | NO | NO | YES |
Alcatel-Lucent | 7300 ASAM | YES | YES | YES |
Alcatel-Lucent | 7301 ASAM | YES | YES | YES |
Alcatel-Lucent | 7302 ISAM | YES | YES | YES |
Alcatel-Lucent | 7321 RU | NO | YES | NO |
Alcatel-Lucent | 7324 RU | NO | YES | NO |
Alcatel-Lucent | 7330 ISAM FTTN | YES | YES | YES |
Alcatel-Lucent | 1511 BA | NO | NO | YES |
Alcatel-Lucent | 1540 Litespan | NO | NO | YES |
Alcatel-Lucent | AnyMedia Access System | NO | NO | YES |
Alcatel-Lucent | Litespan-2000 | NO | NO | YES |
Alcatel-Lucent | Stinger Compact Remote | NO | YES | NO |
Alcatel-Lucent | Stinger FS+ | YES | NO | YES |
Alcatel-Lucent | Stinger LS+ | YES | YES | YES |
Alcatel-Lucent | Stinger MRT | NO | YES | YES |
Alcatel-Lucent | Stinger MS+ | NO | YES | YES |
Alcatel-Lucent | Stinger RT | NO | YES | YES |
Allied Telesis | iMAP 7100 | YES | YES | YES |
Allied Telesis | iMAP 9000 | YES | YES | YES |
Allied Telesis | AT-iMG600 | NO | NO | YES |
Askey Computer | AMA1011 | NO | YES | YES |
Askey Computer | AMA1021SD | NO | YES | YES |
Askey Computer | AM0021 | YES | NO | YES |
Askey Computer | AM0031 | YES | YES | NO |
Avilinks | Avicenia | YES | YES | NO |
Avilinks | Avivid | YES | YES | YES |
Asotel | DC-24A/SA | YES | NO | NO |
Asotel | DC-48A/SA | YES | NO | NO |
Astoria Networks | NGNAxs 2090 | YES | NO | YES |
Astoria Networks | NGNAxs 2200 | YES | YES | YES |
Calix | C7 | YES | YES | YES |
C-Com | IPAM-1600s | YES | YES | NO |
C-Com | IPAM-4800 | YES | NO | NO |
C-Com | SmartDSLAM | YES | NO | NO |
Ciena | CNX-5Plus | NO | YES | YES |
Coastcom | R632 | YES | NO | NO |
Conklin-Intracom | FASTmux 2003 RT | NO | YES | NO |
Conklin-Intracom | FASTmux 2004 | YES | YES | NO |
Conklin-Intracom | FlexAccess 9000 | YES | YES | YES |
Conklin-Intracom | IBAS | YES | NO | YES |
Corecess | 6800 APC/MPC | YES | NO | NO |
Critical Telecom | Gemini | NO | YES | NO |
CTC Union | IP DSLAM | |||
ECI Telecom | Hi-FOCuS 4 | YES | YES | YES |
ECI Telecom | Hi-FOCuS MiniRAM | YES | YES | YES |
ECI Telecom | Hi-FOCuS MiniCAB | NO | YES | YES |
Ericsson | BLM 1500 | YES | YES | YES |
Ericsson | EDA 1200 | YES | YES | YES |
Fiberhome Technologies Group | AN 2100-03 | YES | YES | NO |
Fiberhome Technologies Group | AN 2200-02 | YES | YES | NO |
Fiberhome Technologies Group | AN 2200-06 | YES | YES | NO |
Fiberhome Technologies Group | AN 3300-01 | YES | YES | YES |
Fujitsu Telecom Europe | Geostream Access Gateway | YES | NO | YES |
Hitron Technologies | HTC-1100E | NO | NO | YES |
Hitron Technologies | NGAG-2000 | NO | NO | YES |
Hitron Technologies | BAS-8124 | NO | YES | NO |
Huawei | SmartAx MA 5100 | YES | NO | YES |
Huawei | SmartAx MA 5300 | YES | NO | YES |
Huawei | SmartAx MA 5600 | YES | NO | YES |
Iskratel | SI3000 MSAN | YES | YES | YES |
KeyMile | MileGate 2500 (KEYNode) | YES | YES | YES |
KeyMile | MileGate 2110 | YES | YES | YES |
KeyMile | MileGate 2010 | NO | YES | YES |
KeyMile | UMUX | YES | YES | YES |
Loop Telecom | IP 6324 | YES | NO | NO |
Motorola | BSAM | YES | YES | NO |
Motorola | USAM | YES | YES | NO |
Motorola | USAM SSE 2 | NO | YES | NO |
NEC | AM 31 | YES | NO | YES |
NEC | AM 34 | NO | YES | NO |
NEC | AM 35 | NO | YES | NO |
Nokia Siemens | D500 | YES | YES | NO |
Nokia Siemens | SURPASS HiX 5620 | YES | YES | NO |
Nokia Siemens | SURPASS HiX 5630 | YES | YES | NO |
Nokia Siemens | SURPASS HiX 5635 | YES | NO | NO |
Nokia Siemens | SURPASS HiX 5625 | NO | YES | YES (from Sept. 2007) |
Occam Networks | BLC 6000 | YES | YES | YES |
PacketFront | IPD 1000 | YES | NO | YES |
Pannaway | BAS | YES | YES | YES |
Patton Electronics | 3224 IP DSLAM | YES | YES | NO |
Patton Electronics | ForeFront AIS | NO | NO | YES |
Raisecom Technology Development | OPCOM3500 | NO | NO | YES |
Samsung | AceMAP MAG 3000 | YES | NO | YES |
Samsung | AceMAP MAG 3300 | YES | NO | YES |
Samsung | AceMAP MAG 3500 | YES | NO | YES |
Sycamore Networks | IAB-3000 | NO | NO | YES |
Sycamore Networks | OM1000 | NO | NO | YES |
Sycamore Networks | OM1500 | NO | NO | YES |
Sycamore Networks | OM4000 | NO | NO | YES |
Tailyn | UMAP 2100 | NO | YES | NO |
Tailyn | UMAP 2110 | NO | YES | NO |
Telco Systems (BATM) | GEmini | NO | YES | NO |
Telco Systems (BATM) | PurePacketNode | YES | NO | YES |
TeleData Networks | BroadAccess | NO | NO | YES |
Tellabs | Tellabs 1100 | NO | NO | YES |
Tellabs | Tellabs 1150 | NO | NO | YES |
Tellion | EX-2108BD | NO | YES | NO |
Tellion | EX-2100BQ | NO | YES | NO |
Tellion EX-1172 | NO | YES | NO | |
Tellion | EX-1124P | NO | YES | NO |
Tellion | EX1100B | YES | YES | NO |
Telspec | TelMax | YES | NO | NO |
Telspec | TelRAN | NO | YES | NO |
Telstrat | Inteleflex | YES | YES | YES |
Ubiquoss | Premier 5048VD | NO | YES | NO |
UTStarcom | iAN8K B1000 | YES | YES | YES |
UTStarcom | UBS 4848-1GE | NO | YES | NO |
Zhone | 2600 | YES | NO | NO |
Zhone | 4200 IP | YES | YES | NO |
Zhone | 4800 | YES | NO | NO |
Zhone | 4900 IP | YES | YES | NO |
Zhone | 8000 | YES | NO | YES |
Zhone | IPD 4000 | YES | NO | YES |
Zhone | IPD 12000 | YES | NO | YES |
Zhone | MALC | NO | NO | YES |
Zhone | Raptor 100 | NO | YES | NO |
Zhone | Raptor 300 | YES | YES | YES |
Zhone | Raptor 700 | YES | YES | YES |
ZTE | ZXDSL 8200 | YES | NO | YES |
ZTE | ZXDSL 9200 | YES | NO | YES |
ZTE | ZXDSL 9800 | YES | NO | YES |
ZyXEL | IES 6000 | YES | NO | YES |
ZyXEL | IES 5000 | YES | NO | YES |
ZyXEL | IES 5005 | NO | YES | YES |
ZyXEL | IES 1248 | NO | YES | NO |
CMTSs are the equivalent of DSLAMs for the cable/MSO world. Visit Cable Digital News for information on cable equipment. Here's a selection of related articles:
Go for the Bronze!
CableLabs Accelerates Docsis 3.0 Testing
BigBand Goes Dutch With M-CMTS
CMTS Now $1 Billion Business
Moto Broadband Gains Stand Out
Who Makes What: Cable TV Equipment
Next Page: Ethernet Access Devices
Ethernet access devices (EADs) are a fast-growing market segment, enabling carriers to deploy high-speed services over existing infrastructure. Ethernet access is defined by the Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) standard, IEEE 802.3, and allows carriers to expand the reach of their Ethernet services beyond fiber to copper-fed locations where high-speed services were previously unavailable.
In the local loop, the Ethernet access node resides at a central office or point of presence (POP), acting as the gateway to the public network and directing data to and from the network core. The subscriber equipment sits on the other end of the loop.
There is a broad array of vendors offering devices that provide Ethernet access over fiber or copper or via pseudowires (circuit emulation). The adoption of Ethernet over copper has been slow to take off, but carriers are eyeing the technology as a way to reach small enterprises that are outgrowing T1 lines, and as a way to differentiate their services from the panoply of Ethernet offerings on the market. (See XO Marks the Spot for Hatteras, AT&T Sets Copper Ethernet Course, and Copper Ethernet Snares an RBOC.)
Ethernet over fiber
Accedian
Actelis Networks Inc.
Adtran Inc. (Nasdaq: ADTN)
ADVA Optical Networking
Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU)
Allied Telesis Inc.
Amedia Networks Inc. (OTC: AANI)
ANDA Networks Inc.
Atrica Inc.
Aurora Networks Inc.
Ciena Corp. (NYSE: CIEN)
Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO)
Corecess Inc.
Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)
Foundry Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: FDRY)
Harmonic Inc. (Nasdaq: HLIT)
Iskratel d.o.o.
Juniper Networks Inc. (NYSE: JNPR)
LS Cable Ltd.
Matisse Networks
MRV Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: MRVC)
Narad Networks Inc.
Nayna Networks Inc.
Nokia Networks
Nortel Networks Ltd.
Occam Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: OCNW)
Omnitron Systems Technology Inc.
PacketFront AB
Pandatel AG (Frankfurt: PDE)
Patton Electronics Co.
RAD Data Communications Ltd.
Raisecom Technology Development Co. Ltd.
Telco Systems (BATM)
Tellabs Inc. (Nasdaq: TLAB; Frankfurt: BTLA)
World Wide Packets Inc.
Zhone Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ZHNE)
Ethernet over copper
Actelis Networks Inc.
Adtran Inc. (Nasdaq: ADTN)
ADVA Optical Networking
Aktino Inc.
Alloptic Inc.
ANDA Networks Inc.
Ceterus Networks Inc.
Ciena Corp. (NYSE: CIEN)
Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)
Hatteras Networks Inc.
MRV Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: MRVC)
Narad Networks Inc.
Overture Networks Inc.
Pandatel AG (Frankfurt: PDE)
Patton Electronics Co.
RAD Data Communications Ltd.
Seltatel SpA
Zhone Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ZHNE)
Circuit emulation/pseudowire
Axerra Networks Inc.
BroadLight Inc.
Ciena Corp. (NYSE: CIEN)
Comtec Systems Co. Ltd.
Overture Networks Inc.
RAD Data Communications Ltd.
Resolute Networks Ltd.
Telco Systems (BATM)
Next Page: Fiber & Passive Optical Networking
The transition to fiber in the local loop is transforming the access network. Carriers in several countries have begun the migration away from copper to high-speed fiber networks, in some cases bringing it all the way from the central office to the home. (See FTTH Hits Mainstream.)
Fiber is deployed in the access network using either passive optical network (PON) or active optical (typically Ethernet) approaches. Passive optical networking is a point-to-multipoint architecture that uses an optical line terminal (OLT) at the central office, passive optical splitters to distribute a single fiber to multiple locations, and optical network terminals (ONTs) to terminate the fiber.
There are several different types of fiber deployment, depending upon where the PON terminates:
Fiber to the node (FTTN) – up to 1,500 meters from the premises
Fiber to the curb (FTTC) – to street cabinets up to 150 meters from the premises
Fiber to the premises (FTTP) – to any kind of building
Fiber to the building (FTTB) – to an office/apartment block
Fiber to the home (FTTH) – to individual houses or apartments
PON technology comes in three different flavors: broadband PON (BPON), Ethernet PON/Gigabit Ethernet PON (EPON/GEPON), and gigabit PON (GPON). See Table 3 for a comparison.
Table 3: Comparison of PON Technologies
BPON | GPON | (G)EPON | |
Standard | ITU-T G.983 | ITU-T G.984 | IEEE 802.3ah |
Maximum bandwidth | 622 Mbit/s symmetrical | 2.5 Gbit/s asymmetrical | 1.25 Gbit/s symmetrical |
Supported bandwidth combinations | 155 Mbit/s down - 155 Mbit/s or 622 Mbit/s up | 1.25 Gbit/s down - 155 Mbit/s, 622 Mbit/s, 1.25 Gbit/s, or 2.5 Gbit/s up | 1.25 Gbit/s down - 1.25 Gbit/s up |
622 Mbit/s down - 155 Mbit/s or 622 Mbit/s up | 2.5 Gbit/s down - 155 Mbit/s, 622 Mbit/s, or 1.25 Gbit/s up | -- | |
Network interfaces | ATM | ATM, TDM, Gigabit Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet |
Maximum distance* | 20km | 60km | 20km |
OLT:ONT split ratio | 1:32 | 1:32, 1:64, or 1:128 | 1:16 or 1:32 |
The battle lines for fiber access deployments are drawn on a regional basis: Carriers in North America have been using BPON; EPON has dominated in Japan; and in Europe, where local loops tend to be shorter, carriers are using active point-to-point Ethernet. But most carriers are looking to GPON and GEPON as the next step up as bandwidth requirements continue to increase.
WDM-PON is also catching on, particularly in South Korea, and being served by equipment vendors like Novera Optics Inc. WDM-PON uses multiple optical wavelengths to provide dedicated capacity of 100 Mbit/s per subscriber.
According to Infonetics Research Inc. , worldwide PON equipment sales grew 71 percent in 2006, reaching $965 million. (See PON Gear Nears $1B.) The analyst firm reports EPON and GPON sales are growing rapidly, while BPON equipment sales are on the decline. GPON is the mostly hotly contested segment, and Siemens AG (NYSE: SI; Frankfurt: SIE) dropped out of BPON in October 2006, selling its ONT business to TXP Corp. (Nasdaq: TXPO) (See Ericsson Spells Defense G-P-O-N and Siemens Sells ONT Biz.) Infonetics projects GPON equipment revenue and ports will rise at triple-digit compound annual growth rates between 2006 and 2010.
In North America, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) is deploying BPON in its FiOS fiber-to-the-home network, but recently announced plans to switch to GPON. (See Verizon Deploys GPON.)
A number of European incumbents are deploying FTTC and using VDSL2 over copper to reach the home for the final connection. (See Swisscom Finally Launches IPTV, KPN Trials VDSL2, and DT Flings Billions at Fiber Access.) The exception is France, one of the more competitive and innovative markets in Europe, where several alternative operators have embraced fiber access, and incumbent Orange (NYSE: FTE) is deploying FTTH. (See FT Fleshes Out FTTH .)
Figure 1 breaks out FTTH connectvity and penetration for the top 10 countries worldwide by 2011. 
Table 4 lists PON vendors:Table 4: PON Vendors
BPON | GPON | (G)EPON | |
AFL Telecom | YES | ||
Actiontec | YES | ||
Alcatel-Lucent | YES | YES | YES |
Allied Telesis | YES | ||
Alloptic | YES | ||
Alpha Networks | YES | ||
Alphion | YES | ||
Askey Computer | YES | ||
Broadata Communications | YES | ||
Calix | YES | YES | |
Carrier Access | YES | ||
Centillium | YES | ||
Comtech Systems | YES | ||
Corecess | YES | ||
Dasan Networks | YES | ||
ECI Telecom | YES | YES | |
Ericsson | YES | YES | |
FiberHome Technologies | YES | ||
FlexLight Networks | YES | ||
Fujikura | YES | ||
Fujitsu Network Communication | YES | YES | |
Furukawa Electric | YES | ||
GW Technologies | YES | ||
Hitachi Telecom USA | YES | YES | |
Huawei | YES | YES | |
Iamba | YES | ||
Matsushita | YES | ||
Mitsubishi Electric | YES | ||
Motorola | YES | YES | |
LS Cable | YES | YES | |
Nayna Networks | YES | YES | |
NEC | YES | YES | |
Nokia Siemens | YES | ||
Oki Electric Industry | YES | ||
Raisecom Technology Development | YES | ||
Salira | YES | ||
Samsung | YES | ||
Samwoo Communications | YES | ||
Sumitomo Electric | YES | ||
Tecom | YES | ||
Teknovus | YES | ||
Tellabs | YES | YES | |
Tellion | YES | ||
Telstrat | YES | ||
Terawave Communications | YES | ||
TXP | YES | ||
Ubiquoss | YES | ||
UTStarcom | YES | ||
Wave7 Optics | YES | YES | |
World Wide Packets | |||
Zhone Technologies | YES | YES | |
ZTE | YES | YES | |
ZyXEL Communications | YES |
GPON equipment makers include:
Actiontec Electronics Inc. - ONT
Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) - 7342 Intelligent Services Access Manager (ISAM) FTTU
Alphion Corp. - AOLT-4000 and AONT
Askey Inc. - AMV4011SD GPON ONT MxU
Calix Inc. (NYSE: CALX) - F-Series GPON Access System
ECI Telecom Ltd. - Hi-FOCuS
Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC) - EDA 1500
FlexLight Networks Inc. - Optimate 2500LT, Optimate 1000NT, and Optimate 500NT
Fujitsu Network Communications Inc. - Flashwave 6100
Hitachi Telecom (USA) Inc. - AMN1220
Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. - SmartAX OFA5920
Iamba Networks Inc. - iamba GPON Eco-System (iGES)
Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) - AXS2200 OLT and ONT1000GT
LS Cable Ltd. - GPON System
NEC Corp. (Tokyo: 6701) - SpectralWave PON
Nokia Networks - SURPASS hiX 5700
Tellabs Inc. (Nasdaq: TLAB; Frankfurt: BTLA) - 1600 ONT and 8865 OLT
TelStrat International - Inteleflex
Terawave Communications Inc. - TW-800 OLT, TW-124G ONT, TW-148G ONU, and TW-500 ONU
Wave7 Optics Inc. - Trident7
Zhone Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ZHNE) - MALC GPON OLT
ZTE Corp. (Shenzhen: 000063; Hong Kong: 0763) - ZXA10
Next Page: DSL Home Gateways
Residential DSL gateways – access devices that sit in the home – have taken center stage as broadband service providers roll out converged services including Internet access, VOIP, video, and wireless LAN.
As the range of services on offer in broadband packages has grown, these gateways have become increasingly complex. A gateway comprises a chipset, software such as firmware and applications stacks, and various kinds of additional intellectual property, along with the physical housing for the device.
Key gateway functions include: DSL support, voice support, QOS, video support, security, remote and automatic configuration and management, and networking (Ethernet, WiFi, etc.).
With the growth of IPTV services and online gaming, set-top boxes and networked games consoles such as the Xbox are also serving as home gateways, but the focus here is on broadband routers.
DSL home gateway vendors include:
2Wire Inc.
3Com Corp. (Nasdaq: COMS)
Actiontec Electronics Inc.
Allied Telesis Inc.
Amedia Networks Inc. (OTC: AANI)
Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL)
AsusTek Computer Inc.
AVM GmbH
Aztech Systems Ltd.
Belkin Corp.
Billion Electric Co. Ltd.
Buffalo Technology (USA) Inc.
Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO)
Comtrend Corp.
Dataflex
D-Link Systems Inc.
Dovado FZ-LLC
DrayTek
Echelon
Entone Inc.
Foxconn Electronics Inc.
Gemtek Systems Inc.
Hitron Technologies Inc.
Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.
Intellon Corp. (Nasdaq: ITLN)
Iskratel d.o.o.
Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT)
NEC Corp. (Tokyo: 6701)
Netgear Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR)
Netopia Inc.
Nokia Networks
Oki Electric Industry Co. Ltd.
Pirelli SpA (Milan: PECI.MI)
Royal Philips Electronics N.V. (NYSE: PHG; Amsterdam: PHI)
Ruckus Wireless Inc.
Sagem Télécommunications SA
SMC Networks Inc.
Telco Systems (BATM)
Telsey SpA
Thomson S.A. (NYSE: TMS; Euronext Paris: 18453)
Tilgin AB
Toshiba Corp. (Tokyo: 6502)
U.S. Robotics Corp.
Westell Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: WSTL)
XAVi Technologies Corp.
Zhone Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ZHNE)
Zoom Telephonics
ZTE Corp. (Shenzhen: 000063; Hong Kong: 0763)
ZyXEL Communications Corp.
Next Page: Wireless
Wireless access equipment comes in several flavors, scaling up from local-area networking (wireless LAN) and fixed wireless to citywide WiMax. WiMax is being hyped as an alternative last-mile technology that eliminates the costly trenching and cabling of new wireline/fiber networks, while providing high-speed, carrier-grade Ethernet data communications over long distances.
Wireless LAN
Wireless LAN is based on the IEEE 802.11 standard that enables devices to connect to the Internet when in range of an access point.
Access points (APs) are the radio transmitters/receivers that form the basic building blocks of a WLAN network. WLAN switches sit either at the edge of an Ethernet LAN in the wiring closet or in the corporate data center, controlling security, management, and radio functions for a network of access points. Wireless bridges provide connections among access points and can also connect multiple wired networks.
Wireless LAN is increasingly being used to create mesh networks, based on a system of linked access points that connect in a peer-to-peer architecture, particularly for municipal networks.
WLAN suppliers include:
3Com Corp. (Nasdaq: COMS)
Accton Technology Corp.
Air Broadband Communications Inc.
Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU)
Allied Telesyn International Inc.
Alpha Networks Inc.
Aptilo Networks AB
Aruba Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: ARUN)
Aurora Networks Inc.
BelAir Networks Inc.
Buffalo Technology (USA) Inc.
Cameo Communications Inc.
Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO)
Colubris Networks Inc.
D-Link Systems Inc.
EION Wireless
Enterasys Networks Inc.
Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)
Extreme Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: EXTR)
Extricom Ltd.
Firetide Inc.
Gemtek Technology Co. Ltd.
HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ)
Juniper Networks Inc. (NYSE: JNPR)
LocustWorld Ltd.
Meru Networks Inc.
MeshDynamics Inc.
Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT)
NEC Corp. (Tokyo: 6701)
Netgear Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR)
Nokia Networks
Nortel Networks Ltd.
Proxim Wireless Corp.
Radionet Oy
SkyPilot Networks Inc.
SMC Networks Inc.
Strix Systems Inc.
Trapeze Networks Inc.
Tropos Networks Inc.
USRobotics
Vocera Communications Inc.
Xirrus Inc.
Zoom Telephonics
ZyXEL Communications Corp.
Fixed/broadband wirelessFixed-wireless access provides broadband connectivity over the air using microwave radios rather than cabling. Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) operates in the upper frequency, while MMDS uses the lower frequencies. OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) splits up the radio signal into smaller signals that are then transmitted simultaneously over different frequencies to the receiver.Fixed-wireless suppliers include:
Airspan Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: AIRN)
Alvarion Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq: ALVR)
Aperto Networks Inc.
Axxcelera Broadband Wireless
Cambridge Broadband Networks Ltd.
Ceragon Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq: CRNT)
DragonWave Inc. (AIM/Toronto: DWI; Nasdaq: DRWI)
Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)
Firetide Inc.
InfiNet Wireless Ltd.
Navini Networks Inc.
Nera Networks AS
NextNet Wireless Inc.
Nokia Networks
Nortel Networks Ltd.
Orthogon Systems
Proxim Wireless Corp.
RAD Data Communications Ltd.
Radionet Oy
Redline Communications Inc.
SkyPilot Networks Inc.
Solectek Corp.
SR Telecom Inc. (Toronto: SRX)
Trango Broadband Wireless
UTStarcom Inc. (Nasdaq: UTSI)
Wave Wireless Networking
WiNetworks Inc.
ZTE Corp. (Shenzhen: 000063; Hong Kong: 0763)
WiMax
WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, touted as an alternative to DSL and cable in the access network. The later 802.16e version (or mobile WiMax), published in 2006, introduces features such as scaleable Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), subchannelization, and Multiple-Input/Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna technology.
Unlike wireless LAN, WiMax was designed for use in outdoor and carrier environments. In a best-case scenario, WiMax boasts throughput of up to 70 Mbit/s and a line-of-sight maximum reach of 70km. But in real-world applications, as with DSL, there is a tradeoff between bandwidth and distance, and urban deployments are more likely to be non-line-of-sight.
2006 was a pivotal year for WiMax, as carriers shifted from fixed WiMax trials to commercial services, mobile WiMax products hit the market, and Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S) announced plans to spend $3 billion to deploy mobile WiMax. (See Sprint Goes WiMax.)
WiMax equipment includes base stations, outdoor wireless mesh network access nodes, and customer premises equipment.
A number of fixed-wireless vendors have expanded their product lines to include WiMax equipment (fixed and mobile), while others are getting into the game with a view to exploiting WiMax's potential in remote and emerging markets. Some vendors remain skeptical as to the viability of WiMax: Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC) recently confirmed it has stopped developing WiMax equipment, instead throwing its support behind 3GPP LTE (Long Term Evolution) – an upgrade to UMTS/HSPA. (See Ericsson Pulls WiMax Plug.)
WiMax suppliers include:
Adaptix Inc.
Airspan Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: AIRN)
Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU)
Alvarion Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq: ALVR)
Aperto Networks Inc.
Axxcelera Broadband Wireless
BelAir Networks Inc.
Cambridge Broadband Networks Ltd.
EION Wireless
Gemtek Technology Co. Ltd.
Harris Stratex Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: HSTX)
Iskratel d.o.o.
LG Electronics Inc. (London: LGLD; Korea: 6657.KS)
Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT)
Navini Networks Inc.
Nera Networks AS
Nokia Networks
Nortel Networks Ltd.
Posdata Co. Ltd.
Proxim Wireless Corp.
Redline Communications Inc.
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Korea: SEC)
Selex Communications
Sequans Communications
SOMA Networks Inc.
SR Telecom Inc. (Toronto: SRX)
Strix Systems Inc.
Telsima Corp.
WiNetworks Inc.
ZTE Corp. (Shenzhen: 000063; Hong Kong: 0763)
Related wireless reports:
WiMax, Wireless Mesh & Muni Networks
WiMax & QOS
Wireless Mesh: Ready!
Who Makes What: Mobile Infrastructure
WiMax Deployment Models
WiMax Guide
Next Page: Free-Space Optics
Free-space optics (FSO), also called free-space photonics (FSP), uses lasers or light-emitting diodes to provide optical high-speed bandwidth. FSO is a line-of-sight technology capable of sending up to 1.25 Gbit/s of data, voice, and video communications simultaneously through the air.
Equipment takes the form of pairs of devices, often mounted on rooftops, that provide high-speed links over relatively short distances, normally using low-powered infrared lasers.
The technology is often used in cities and difficult terrains where laying fiber in the ground is expensive or impractical. FSO has the potential to reach up to 10km, but connections can be disrupted by poor atmospheric conditions like fog, heavy rain, snow, or smog.
FSO vendors include:
Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU)
AOptix Technologies
Cablefree Solutions Ltd.
Canon Inc.
Celerica
Communication by light GmbH (CBL)
Corning Cable Systems LLC (CCS)
Dominion Lasercom Inc.
fSona Communications Corp.
Furtera Inc.
Holoplex Technologies Inc.
Infrared Technologies America
iRLan Ltd.
LaserBit Communications Corp.
LightPointe Communications Inc.
LSA Photonics
Maxima Corp.
Mostcom Ltd.
MRV Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: MRVC)
Omnilux
OrAccess Ltd.
PAV Data Systems Ltd.
Plaintree Systems Inc. (Toronto: LAN)
Sceptre Communications (UK) Ltd.
Silcom Manufacturing Technology
Solectek Corp.
Sunflower Technologies
Next Page: Powerline
Broadband over powerline (BPL) is a technology that provides high-speed Internet access through electrical outlets. Also referred to as powerline Ethernet, it has attracted service providers that like the idea of using standing infrastructure to roll out high-speed services. Like wireless, it bypasses the need to lay new cable, and it can substitute for wireline in remote areas where cabling isn't feasible.
Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) in particular has shown an interest in powerline: The company invested in Current Technologies LLC in 2005 and is said to be exploring BPL technology as a way to solve interference problems with its Mountain View, Calif., WiFi network. (See Current Comms Raises $130M and Google's Powerline Play.)
Powerline equipment makers include:
3One Networks Inc.
Allied Telesis Inc.
Ambient Corp.
Amperion Inc.
Asoka USA Corp.
China Gridcom Co Ltd.
Corinex Corp.
Current Technologies LLC
DefiDev
Devolo AG
Dimat
EBA Powerline Communications LLC
ElectroLinks Corp.
Enterasys Networks Inc.
GigaFast Inc.
International Broadband Electric Communications (IBEC) Inc.
InovaTech
LEA SAS
Main.net Communications Ltd.
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. (Tokyo: 6503)
Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT)
Panasonic Corp. (NYSE: PC)
Pirelli SpA (Milan: PECI.MI)
RFL Electronics Inc.
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.
System Engineering International Inc. (SEI)
Telkonet Inc. (OTC: TLKO.OB)
VIPA GmbH
Xeline Co. Ltd.
Yitran Communications
ZyXEL Communications Corp.
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