ADVA Optical Networking’s next-generation access solution does just that. As an extension to its flagship ADVA FSP 3000 platform, the company’s Flexible Remote Node (FRN) employs temperature-hardened WDM filters. When deployed in the network, the filters create a point-to-multi-point solution with a single feeder fiber between the CO and the service edge. Low-insertion loss allows network operators to deliver more bandwidth to more endpoints from fewer sites that sit farther back in the network. Access links are fully visible and can be provisioned remotely.

Optical links to third-party devices can be monitored through ADVA Optical Networking’s Optojack service demarcation technology. This creates an advantageous equation where service providers achieve lower operational expenses via less energy consumption, fewer active sites, less maintenance and simpler network management.

“Deploying WDM in the access network creates a flat architecture that is more efficient because it eliminates multiple layers of costly aggregation equipment and protocol conversions,” stated Andrew Schmitt, directing analyst for optical at Infonetics Research. “Several carriers have embraced this approach because it supports their long-term strategy to eliminate active sites and consolidate COs.”

“Today’s access networks have reached critical mass,” confirmed Stephan Rettenberger, vice president of marketing at ADVA Optical Networking. “Sensitivity to initial capital expense is giving way to closer examination of operating expenses and total cost of ownership over the life of the equipment and network. Considering the effort and expense of extending the fiber plant closer to the end user, network operators need to ensure their next-generation access investments last for more than a decade and can scale with future demands. Our solution has enormous growth potential and is extremely energy-efficient. It is based on standard WDM technology and Layer 2 aggregation, so that carriers can add, remove and switch services without impacting existing ones and avoid redundant layers of aggregation.”

In a related announcement, ADVA Optical Networking is also proud to announce that it has successfully completed Optojack interoperability tests with multiple Ethernet switch and DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer) vendors. Optojack establishes intelligent optical demarcation points in the access network to monitor optical signals all the way to the service end point to provide the highest levels of service availability.