Bezeq launches 50 Mbps VDSL2 service

Israel's Bezeq has its heart set on providing a host of new IP-based residential services, and it's going to deliver them over its existing copper network via VDSL2. Bezeq will deploy Nokia Siemens Multi Service Access Nodes (MSANs) to deliver a host of advanced services, including High Definition television and video conferencing, over the VDSL2 connections with bandwidth of up to 50Mbps. However, Bezeq has not revealed any specific financial or deployment details.

Besides a lot of talk from U.S. service provider AT&T, VDSL2 activity had been relatively quiet, but Bezeq's announcement illustrates an emergence of VDSL2 deployment activity. Just last week, TeliaSonera announced it would deploy Alcatel-Lucent's MSAN to deliver [1] Fiber to the Building-based services, while Qwest began a VDSL2 rollout [2] in select markets this July.

The deal is also significant for Nokia Siemens Networks as it gives credence to its strategy to exit [3] the GPON business in favor of VDSL2 for FTTX deployments and WDM-PON for future FTTH deployments. Nokia Siemens Networks' move, which interestingly enough followed Tellabs' announcement that it would end a GPON supply deal with Verizon Communications, is based on the company's argument that Fiber to the curb/Fiber to the node-like architectures that leverage ADSL2+ and VDSL2 represent a more immediate term opportunity versus GPON-based Fiber to the Home. What's more, by having a WDM-PON strategy in place, it will be able to take advantage of those deployments when carriers are ready.

For more:
- see the release here [4]

Related articles
NSN: VDSL2 rivals GPON [5]
NSN cools on FTTH, drops GPON [3]
TeliaSonera launches nationwide 100 Mbps access service [1]
Qwest ups its FTTN upload/download capabilities [6]