MTS expands VDSL2, FTTH home network capabilities with Pace gateways

Manitoba, Canada-based MTS (Toronto: MBT.TO) on Monday announced that it is using Pace's bonded VDSL2/ADSL2+ residential gateway to expand the rate and reach of its growing VDSL2 and FTTH networks.  

One of the benefits for consumers is that they will be able to set up their wireless-based home networks to provide a connection for their growing collection of electronic devices such as tablets, smart phones, and even home control and security systems.

On the VDSL2 network side, Pace's 5168N Bonded VDSL2/ADSL+ 802.11n-enabled Residential Gateway will enable it to enhance the in-home Wi-Fi connectivity to distribute both broadband data and IPTV services with speeds of up to 50 Mbps.

Likewise, the gateway will provide up to 250 Mbps on its emerging FiON FTTH network, which was rolled out in four additional communities in Q4 2012.

"We can further expand our broadband service coverage and provide better in-home wireless networking performance thanks to our partnership with Pace," said Stan Kurtas, vice president of marketing for MTS, in a release.

Already, the FTTH service is available in 10 communities with plans to launch it in a number of new housing developments in Winnipeg. However, it has not revealed the timing of those deployments or where it will go next with FTTH.

Broadband and IPTV continued to be major revenue drivers in MTS' Q4 revenue mix. Internet revenues rose 8.4 percent to CAD 110.1 million (USD 109.2 million), while an increase in ARPU and subscribers drove up IPTV revenues 11.2 percent to CAD 78.5 million (USD 77.9 million).

In tandem with its FTTH and VDSL2 rollouts, the telco reported that it's growing its IPTV service. As of the end of Q4 2012, the service was available to 95 percent of Winnipeg households, to 98 percent of Brandon households, to 94 percent of Portage La Prairie households, and to a growing number of homes in nine other communities.

Echoing a similar trend seen at AT&T (NYSE: T), 77 percent of MTS' IPTV customers subscribe to the higher-ARPU Ultimate TV service, up from 64 percent in 2011.

For more:
- see this release
- and FierceIPTV's coverage

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