Aspen Optics Expands to Achieve FTEP for “100Mbit Nations”

Published 5th September 2008

In response to the recent “100Mbit Nation” announcement in the USA and similar commitments in other European countries, Aspen Optics is expanding its sales and distribution networks in international markets to help speed up Fiber to Every Premise (FTEP)...

To help network engineers speed up fiber network connection and realize FTEP, Aspen Optics is launching an industry first configuration tool on www.aspenoptics.com as an open platform to offer instant network connectivity solutions. The tool, known as “Aspen Optical Ethernet Configurator”, shows how Aspen Optics comprehensive range of products can tackle different fiber network connection requirements. According to Aspen Optics, fiber connectivity can be achieved in a very cost-effective and speedy way with the right products chosen. More than satisfying the customers on the product level, the configuration tool is adding value on the operation level by supporting and improving the daily working needs of SI, ISP and telecom operators. By making fiber connection an automatic and accurate function, the tool can help release more time for network engineers to focus on other network improvement activities.

More and more governments are aware that optical broadband can become an indicator of a nation’s competitiveness. The House of Representatives in USA has recently introduced a resolution to make USA a 100Mbit Nation. The list of “100Mbits Nations” will continue to grow exponentially in the years to come. According to the most recent statistics by FTTH Council, Korea, Hong Kong (where Aspen Optics is based) and Japan are now ranking on the top 3 in FTTH (Fiber to the Home) penetration. In terms of total population, America having 3.3 million FTTH households is on the third, accounting for one tenth of the world’s 32 million FTTH subscribers.

“Aspen Optics adds value to customers in several ways. The reasons we choose to base in Hong Kong to serve our global customers are, we can gain the most updated market and technological know-how and insights through working directly with the Hong Kong telecom operators who are implementing one of the fastest growing fiber networks in the world. In terms of time-zone, we can offer fast response to our customers in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Geographically, it is just a one hour driving distance to supervise the manufacturing facilities in mainland China. As value-added, every single product we sell is tested again in our testing centre in Hong Kong including interoperability and reliability before delivery to our distributors or customers worldwide. Our goal is to deliver value to customers every day by saving them time and money while continuing to turn out quality”, said David Whitney, Managing Director of Aspen Optics.

In the USA, Middle East and Africa, Aspen Optics has strong distribution network. In Hong Kong, Aspen Optics is working directly with the telecom operators. Aspen Optics is offering its own branded MetroBlazer™ media converters, concentrators, CPE and distribution switches, as well as Geebic branded optical transceivers ranging from SFP, GBIC, Xenpak, XFP to the latest 10GE X2. With its proximity to the manufacturing facilities in China, having an in-house testing centre in Hong Kong and direct contact with the telecom operators there, Aspen Optics offers its distributors values in getting high quality, carrier class tested products for deployment in various mainstream standards in fiber connection, in multi-vendor network environments.

“We are now actively expanding several European nations, where Fiber to Every Premise is well supported by many governments. In USA, the recent resolution to achieve a 100Mbit Nation status is a good news to our channel networks there. India, Eastern Europe and Latin Americas are regions we are seeking distributors and resellers”, said David Whitney.

Aspen Optics has recently signed several new distribution agreements to be announced shortly. In addition, Aspen Optics is offering ODM business cooperation opportunities to partners looking for own branded, customized fiber connectivity products.

Fiber to Every Home (FTEH) by 2010 as standard for new construction in many developed countries is a proposition first predicted and announced by Aspen Optics recently, the industry is now getting used to these new acronyms FTEO (Fiber to Every Office), FTEP (Fiber to Every Premise) that represent widespread efforts to implement fiber on access level to the fullest scale. The top agenda in the market is no longer on how to achieve FTTH, but on how to speed up FTEH.

The competition to be on the top of the 100Mbits Nation and 100Mbits City list will soon become very keen amongst major economies, as they understand the importance of high speed fiber broadband to promote business growth and technological advancement. As early as 2005, Vienna, the capital of Austria, had planned for providing Fiber to Every Home. France is now the heartland of fiber connection in Europe, after years of keen competition amongst operators including France Telecom, Iliad, Neuf Cegetel and Numericable. BT in July announced a plan for a massive FTTH deployment in the UK. In a most happening place in the world in real estate and infrastructural development, the leading properties developers are playing a great role in taking fiber to every premise as a basic built-in for every new construction in Dubai. When these Dubai based developers launch new projects in other MEA countries like Bahrain and Qatar, they automatically keep the concept of Fiber to Every Premise in mind.

Aspen Optics, as value-added provider, is one of the pioneers of fiber connectivity products offering clients high quality, carrier-class tested products benefiting from its significant investment in an in-house interoperability testing facility. Today, many of the most prominent telecom carriers and large enterprises rely on the performance and reliability of Aspen Optics products in their mission critical networks.

http://www.aspenoptics.com