[June 8, 2005]

IPTV: More Developments

BY JOHANNE TORRES

I’ve got more IPTV news today. It seems like the technology is becoming incredibly popular this year, based on the amount of news releases this week only. Los Gatos, CA-based Coaxsys, Inc., an IPTV network developer, announced today that it just made a deal with Alloptic, a Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network (GEPON) provider. Coaxsys said the deal was made in order to improve IP-based video, voice, and data deployments in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) environments.

A GEPON system enables Triple-Play services to subscribers’ premises. Coaxsys' TVnet distributes the IP signal throughout customers’ premises by using pre-existing coaxial cable. The two companies' products provide a system from the service provider to the customers’ premises equipment.

Through the new partnership, both companies have agreed to work together to promote services that enable operators to distribute IPTV, voice, and high-speed data throughout subscribers' homes.

The Alloptic system integrates standard ITU PON architecture while delivering a gigabit of bandwidth. Alloptic provides telephone services as well as IP HDTV. Alloptic says that it enables network operators using the company’s fiber access network system to distribute IP video services throughout residential and commercial neighborhoods. With Coaxsys' TVnet, the two companies will be able to offer a system that delivers video and data services from the head-end all the way to a consumer's personal equipment.

"We are excited about our partnership with Coaxsys because their TVnet technology allows IP services to be transmitted over in-home coaxial cable," said Mike Serrano, director of product marketing for Livermore, CA-based Alloptic. "While our GEPON solutions enable fiber-to-the-home service, there is still the challenge of distributing the high-speed IP services around the home without having to rewire each home with CAT-5 cable. Coaxsys' TVnet delivers 100Mbps, thus addressing the 'last foot' problem without giving up the performance that subscribers demand."

Coaxsys' TVnet utilizes a consumer's existing coaxial cable to distribute the IP signal throughout the premises. Coaxsys' TVnet adapters receive the Ethernet signal, distribute that signal temporarily over coaxial cable, and then make the signal usable at any coaxial wall jack throughout a house for IPTV, high speed data, or VoIP. The TVnet network is capable of transmitting 100Mbps.

Coaxsys VP of Business Development, Gary Hoffman, noted that the partnership is a natural fit: "Alloptic's fiber-to-the-home capability delivers exceptional service to subscribers, and they obviously benefit from a simple solution that enables its Ethernet output to be distributed throughout the home over pre-existing wires. We are excited that this partnership now offers operators (our customers) a true solution for video, voice, and high speed data deployments in fiber-to-the-home environments."

Alloptic
www.alloptic.com

Coaxsys, Inc.
www.coaxsys.com