Optical Solutions 'Solves' IPTV Issue

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Paving the way for lower-cost deployment of IP-based services, Optical Solutions today unveiled the industry's first HPNA v3 solution for fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks.

The new HPNA v3 module enables operators to optimize customers' existing in-home wiring for delivery of bandwidth-rich IPTV and data. HPNA v3 is the newest and most advanced standard for home networking, supporting data rates over 100 Mbps.

The HPNA v3 module, which is integrated into Optical Solutions' FiberPointT ONT, works in conjunction with HPNA v3-enabled set-tops and adaptors.

Through an exclusive partnership for the FTTP market with ReadyLinks Inc., Optical Solutions offers all the benefits of CAT5 home networking, without the added cost and installation delay. Minneapolis-based ReadyLinks develops HPNA v3 premises devices, including standalone adaptors and a rapid design and development process for enabling HPNA v3 IPTV set-tops.

"Optical Solutions has led the way on IPTV deployment, and customer input has been a big part of our early success," said Mike Dagenais, president and CEO of Optical Solutions. "Though our focus is on fiber-to-the-premises, we felt it would be in everyone's best interest to develop a solution for wiring challenges inside the premises."

Operators that deploy IPTV frequently encounter inadequate wiring at the customer premises. Technicians must then rewire the home, which ties up resources, delays service delivery and increases the operator's cost of migrating to IPTV services. Now, with HPNA v3, operators can turn-up IP subscribers quickly and still maintain the low ongoing operations expense of Optical Solutions' FiberPathR FTTP system.

"The HPNA v3 solution is quite revolutionary - it turbo-charges existing twisted pair or coax connections to accommodate FTTP bandwidth demands, and it's both cost-effective and easy for the operator to implement," Dagenais said.

Optical Solutions Inc.