ADTRAN Unlocks Single Vendor Networks with Open Interfaces and Universal ONTs

Open architecture allows operators to standardize on best-in-class customer devices across multi-vendor access networks

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 2015-- ADTRAN®, Inc., (NASDAQ: ADTN), a leading provider of next-generation networking solutions, announced it is delivering on its open interface commitment and decoupling the closed equipment “lock-in” from fiber broadband access solutions.

As it unlocks the single-vendor access network, ADTRAN is providing a standards-based carrier-grade set of products and solutions spanning the entire access network from the central office to the cabinet and the customer premises. This flexible and open approach enables operators to select best-in-class solutions from multiple providers to simplify deployment models and accelerate new revenue generating services across their entire network.

Open interfaces exist for cable, video and DSL broadband networks allowing carriers to select customer premise equipment, middleware and access platforms based on their specific network, topology and service requirements. Early rollouts of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) broadband networks, however, have used a closed system. This has historically forced service providers into selecting the same vendor for the fiber aggregation and the optical network terminal (ONT) equipment, limiting the available solution set. In a multi-vendor network this further complicates the ability to offer network-wide services and solutions.

ADTRAN is increasing the addressable market for residential, business and wireless backhaul services through a fully open and interoperable broadband access network. This includes:

• ADTRAN multi-service access nodes (MSAN) seamlessly interoperate with ADTRAN’s complete portfolio of ONTs, residential and business gateways, as well as MDU switches.
• The open interfaces of the ADTRAN MSANs also support third-party developed ONTs and Wi-Fi integrated residential gateways.
• ADTRAN G.fast Fiber-to-the-Distribution Point and 10G FTTH MDU solutions supporting TR-301 defined YANG and RESTful interfaces and making them both interoperable within an open multi-vendor MSAN network.
• Finally, the ADTRAN customer premises equipment portfolio – which includes FTTH-enabled IP business gateways, FTTH Wi-Fi integrated residential gateways and micro ONTs – are compliant to BBF.247 in order to deliver a higher level of interoperability across multi-vendor access networks.

These open interfaces create new revenue opportunities for service providers today while setting the stage for a future software-based framework.

“A variety of important ultra-broadband access technologies including G.fast, GPON, NG-PON2 and 10 Gigabit Services PON (XGS-PON) will require operators to leverage a more flexible deployment model to maximize return on investment and speed time-to-market as these technologies are deployed within multi-vendor environments,” said Erik Keith, principal analyst for broadband networks and multi-play services, Current Analysis. “Given the prevalence of multi-vendor networks, it is crucial that these networks be open and interoperable, both to enable this impending network transition and to facilitate revenue growth, and ultimately, to ensure that the industry moves away from the static, silo-based approach that has limited network flexibility and new services growth for years.”

“The pace of network innovation and new services introduction has been slowed due to proprietary network connections and disparate operational models between different vendors. This is driving the need for a fully open, software defined programmable network,” said Chris Thompson, director, customer device portfolio, ADTRAN. “ADTRAN has helped build more open residential, business and backhaul networks than any other access supplier in the world and is committed to delivering the framework that will support the next-generation of broadband network deployments and services.”