Adtran tackles G.fast, VDSL2 vectoring compatibility with Frequency Division Vectoring technology

Adtran has introduced a new technology called Frequency Division Vectoring (FDV) that it claims can enhance the capabilities of next-gen G.fast and VDSL vectoring on existing copper wiring by enabling both methods to effectively coexist in across a single subscriber line in the service provider's network.

The vendor said that the new patent-pending technology will allow service providers to take advantage of G.fast's advertised performance gains without having to transition their subscriber base from VDSL2 to G.fast.

FDV could help service providers like BT leverage and extend their investments in their fiber to the cabinet (FTTC) infrastructure by doubling data rates and increasing the reach of intermediate-rate services--between 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps--to 80 percent more subscribers.

"While G.fast and VDSL2 have always been seen as complementary technologies, the limitations of G.fast have been exposed when forced to operate in a VDSL2-compatible mode at higher rates," said Jeff Heynen, principal analyst, broadband access and pay TV, Infonetics. "As service providers look to build out their G.fast adoption strategies, ADTRAN's FDV technology has a key performance impact by allowing G.fast and vectored VDSL2 technologies to work in concert to boost performance."

By using FDV, a service provider could broaden their use of G.fast from fiber to the building (FTTB) and fiber-to-the-distribution points (FTTdp) to existing remote terminal (RT) cabinet locations.

While FDV has just debuted on the market, it could potentially resonate with a host of incumbent telcos such as AT&T (NYSE: T), BT (NYSE: BT) and eircom, all of which have advocated a FTTC-type architecture.

BT Openreach just began the second phase of its VDSL vectoring trial with the goal of enhancing the speeds of its "up to" 80 Mbps-capable hybrid copper and fiber-based FTTC network by reducing crosstalk on its existing copper lines.

Likewise, Ireland incumbent eircom said it will reach 1 million homes via its (FTTN) architecture this summer. Using a mix of fiber and existing copper, eircom expects to deliver up to 100 Mbps to users by using a combination of VDSL2 and vectoring technologies.

For more:
- see the release

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