CenturyLink names Calix as its PON supplier for Omaha FTTH pilot

CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) has named Calix (NYSE: CALX) as the GPON supplier for its 1 Gbps-capable fiber to the home (FTTH) pilot in Omaha, Neb.

For this network trial, Calix is supplying two of its flagship platforms, including the E7-2 Ethernet Service Access Platform (ESAP) and 700GE family of optical network terminals (ONTs).

In addition to the network hardware, CenturyLink will leverage Calix's Flow Analyze software as a service application to measure usage trends and resolve any potential service performance issues. They will also use Ericsson's (Nasdaq: ERIC) professional services expertise and ecosystem.

Omaha may be the first city where CenturyLink is deploying a 1 Gbps-based FTTH network, but it might not be the last.

During the recent Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2013 Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference, Stewart Ewing, CFO for CenturyLink said that the pilot could be a model for other markets where today it is only delivering copper-based DSL services.

"I think we'll use that as a test bed to see again how well we can compete and penetration rates in that market versus other markets where we don't have fiber to the home," Ewing said. 

Outside of the Omaha trial, CenturyLink currently provides GPON-based services to businesses in various markets.

The telco reported that during the first half of this year it put 1,000 of its business customers into its advanced multi-tenant unit (MTU) program, which offers 500 Mbps symmetrical data service. The service provider plans to also expand GPON capabilities into other high density business districts to offer speeds of up to 1 Gbps.

The deployment also has implications for Calix. Although this network deployment may be new, Calix has enjoyed a relationship with the carrier as part of CenturyLink's fiber to the tower wireless backhaul program. 

For more:
- see the release

Special report: Google Fiber, AT&T, CenturyLink drive the 1 Gbps game

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