Verizon Names FTTP Suppliers

NEW YORK -- Verizon took another step forward in its plan to begin deploying fiber- to-the-premises (FTTP) systems next year by completing the selection of equipment manufacturers and suppliers for the project.

Verizon has already announced plans to begin deploying the high-speed, high-capacity FTTP systems to homes and businesses in 2004, leading to an array of new telecom products.

Verizon Network Services Group President Paul A. Lacouture said the latest vendor selection completes the second major phase of the project, begun earlier this year when Verizon, BellSouth and SBC adopted technical standards and issued a joint request for proposals to equipment suppliers.

The four vendors announced today will provide fiber-optic cabling and other outside plant equipment, also known as the "passive" elements of the FTTP system. The vendors are: Corning Cable Systems, a subsidiary of Corning Inc., of Corning, N.Y.; ADC, of Eden Prairie, Minn.; Preformed Line Products Co., of Cleveland, Ohio; and Tyco Electronics, of Harrisburg, Pa.

They join four other companies that Verizon selected and announced last month: Advanced Fibre Communications Inc. for the central-office electronics; and outside plant suppliers Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, Pirelli Communications Cables and Systems North America, and Fiber Optic Network Solutions (FONS).

"With vendor selection complete, we are continuing work on our plans as well as the development of operations support systems (OSS) to start deploying a new technology that will revolutionize this industry," Lacouture said.

"FTTP will enable a new broadband economy through the delivery of a vast array of high-speed, high-capacity data services, along with voice and video products, to consumers and business customers. Our investment in this new technology will create new revenue streams through the development and sale of new products that can only be provided over this type of technology - while delivering cost-savings for Verizon through reduced operational and maintenance expenses," he said.

Lacouture said the new technology is capable of transferring data at speeds up to 622 megabits per second to the user and 155 megabits per second to the network - far faster than cable modems or today's DSL.

"We believe our deployment of this technology will have widespread benefits throughout the economy of our nation by stimulating products that can only be delivered over this platform," he said.

Verizon Communications Inc.