Calix adds new ONTs to MDU market fray

Equipment vendor Calix Networks is launching a new series of optical network terminals for gigabit passive optical network architectures targeted at multi-dwelling unit deployments-in short, GPON ONTs for MDUs. The MDU market opportunity has been heating up since last year, when the Federal Communications Commission repealed contract exclusivity between cable TV firms and MDU building owners. More recently, Verizon Communications acknowledged it was making a more aggressive push into the MDU market, in particular the MDU-rich New York City market. However, with support for four to eight interfaces, Calix may have smaller MDUs in mind with this product launch, with VDSL probably still the preferred method for very large MDU structures. The new ONTs also could be used for wireless network backhaul.

Meanwhile, in related news, New York City's Department of Information, Technology and Telecommunications approved Verizon's application to offer TV services in the Big Apple.

For more:
- read this story at Light Reading
- see this article about Verizon in the New York Times
- read this feature on the MDU market at Telephony

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The FCC also has banned exclusive phone and data MDU deals. FCC report