Tellabs ONT InteroperatesTellabs ONT Interoperates

CHICAGO -- Removing a significant obstacle for service providers deploying Fiber to the Premise (FTTP), Tellabs today unveiled its Optical Networking Terminal (ONT) interoperability initiative. This unique program enables service providers to reduce costs, scale up as needed and bring new services to market faster. The ability of Tellabs ONTs to interoperate with many vendors’ Optical Line Terminals (OLTs) delivers these benefits in multi-vendor FTTP deployments.

Initially covering Broadband Passive Optical Network (BPON) technology, Tellabs will continue to address interoperability of future protocols, including Gigabit PON (GPON) and Ethernet PON (EPON) as those markets emerge.

“As service providers hasten their deployment of FTTP, Tellabs is well-positioned to deliver on their growing volume and interoperability needs,” said Carl DeWilde, executive vice president, access products, for Tellabs. “Tellabs’ commitment to ONT interoperability highlights our focus on effectively resolving field challenges in multi-vendor environments.”

In related news, Sprint North Supply and Alltel Communications Products have agreed to distribute Tellabs’ ONT equipment. The respective companies, two of the largest North American distributors of access equipment, will exclusively sell Tellabs’ ONT products for multi-vendor OLT installations through the remainder of 2005.

This program is open to FTTP vendors who wish to test their Optical Line Terminal (OLT) interoperability with Tellabs’ ONTs. Tellabs has based this interoperability on compliance with International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Full Service Access Network (FSAN) standards. FSAN is a forum for the world's leading telecommunications service providers and equipment suppliers to work toward a common goal of truly broadband access networks.

At SUPERCOMM 2005, Tellabs will participate in the FSAN interoperability demonstration at the FSAN booth #76088 at the ITU PON Pavilion. SUPERCOMM is held at Chicago’s McCormick Place, June 6-9, 2005.

As a primary supplier to some of the world’s largest FTTP deployments, Tellabs makes ONTs for residential, business and multi-dwelling users. The ONTs are installed at the customer premises and linked to central office OLTs to support very high-capacity Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), high-speed Internet access and video services such as IP Television (IPTV). Tellabs is the market leader in supplying fiber-based access solutions in North America, with more than 10 million lines in service.

Tellabs Inc.