Networks Europe Sept-Oct 2017 | Page 10

10 NEWS IN BRIEF ADTRAN delivers disruptive gigabit-to-the-basement ADTRAN has announced its new disruptive Gfast deployment model to enable network operators to deliver gigabit speeds as widely as possible throughout their networks. Operators in highly competitive, dense urban and urban environments are often challenged in their ability to extend their fibre-based gigabit services because of the time and cost associated with trenching fibre. Typical Fibre to the Distribution Point (FTTdp) or Building (FTTB) solutions extend fibre services by 50 -100m, however with ADTRAN’s new Gigabit-to-the-Basement (GTTB) solution, gigabit services can be extended out to 650m from where the fiber ends. This added distance eliminates construction requirements that can often delay service roll outs, enabling service providers to offer gigabit services in just days or weeks versus months or years. ADTRAN’s GTTB solution overcomes the construction impediments that usually slow down new service introduction. By launching gigabit services from the existing fibre-fed cabinet locations, operators are able to roll out services 2-5 times faster and at a fraction of the cost of traditional FTTdp/B solutions. This new solution expands the ADTRAN Gfast portfolio by combining ADTRAN’s 2nd generation SDX 2200 series of 212MHz, reverse powered Gfast DPUs with the ADTRAN bonded Super-Vectoring (VDSL2 35b) technology, providing gigabit rates from existing cabinet infrastructure and thus extending gigabit services significantly. ADTRAN’s innovative GTTB service supports network operators’ ability to significantly expedite gigabit services deployments to a considerable percentage of their customer base. n Cable certifiers cripple cash flow for installers A new White Paper published by IDEAL Networks has revealed that the cost of cable certifiers is posing serious cash flow challenges for businesses installing and testing data cable. The results of extensive research interviews conducted within the cable installation and testing industry by IDEAL Networks over the past 18 months are revealed in the publication, entitled ‘Five frustrations and challenges for data cable installers in 2017’. One of the key issues identified is that the cost of cable certifiers causes cash flow difficulties in many businesses. “Cable certifiers are undoubtedly one of the more expensive pieces of equipment for installing or testing data cables,” says Tim Widdershoven, Global Marketing Manager for IDEAL Networks. “However, most believe they are an unavoidable capital expense and continue to buy numerous certifiers upfront, despite the impact this may have on cash flow in their business.” As well as making cash flow challenging, the research found that purchasing numerous certifiers can occupy budget that may be better spent on other projects, or on different equipment. These cash flow difficulties can also have a knock-on effect, reducing flexibility to spend within the business. n European funding can spur UK development of HPC technology Nordic markets investment tops $3bn The UK data centre industry must seize the opportunity to access funding provided by the European Commission and use it to become a world leader in High Performance Computing (HPC) technology. This is according to Greg McCulloch, CEO of Aegis Data. The European Commission’s Horizon 2020 program has made €40 million available to finance the development of HPC technology, and the government is encouraging UK organisations to apply for this funding, despite the uncertainty around Brexit. The European Commission has identified HPC as a key technology to drive significantly faster data processing and the development of new services and business models across Europe. Originally used by researchers to analyse huge quantities of data, HPC is now growing in popularity across the commercial sector thanks to its potential to support emerging technologies that generate vast reams of data. McCulloch commented: “The release of funding to finance the development of HPC presents the UK data centre industry with a fantastic opportunity to hone its existing expertise in HPC and become a hub for the management, processing and storage of data generated by emerging technology.” He added: “The rise of