Improving GPON Interoperability and Boosting Fiber Deployments

FSAN and the Broadband Forum establish new collaboration

April 21, 2010, Atlanta - The Full Service Access Network (FSAN) is pleased to announce the launch of a critically important new collaboration with the Broadband Forum, focused on expediting GPON deployments, enhancing multi-vendor interoperability and enabling better broadband network fiber integration around the world.

To accomplish these goals, a new working group focused on defining GPON test suites, addressing interoperability and standards compliance, has been established and will meet at each of the Broadband Forum's quarterly meetings.

As a part of that effort, the 11th FSAN - GPON Test Event, normally only open to FSAN members is now open to Broadband Forum GPON system integrator members as well. Hosted by the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory's (UNH-IOL) GPON Consortium the week of June 21, 2010, this event is an opportunity for all GPON system integrators (manufacturers of ONTs and OLTs) to test the interoperability of their implementation(s). 

"FSAN decided to open the GPON Test Events to Broadband Forum members in the framework of the joint FSAN-Broadband Forum activities, aiming at achieving a wider participation of the ever-increasing number of GPON equipment providers," said Paolo Solina, FSAN Chair.

"We are very happy to be joining with FSAN to support this important effort. The combined skills, knowledge and experience of both organizations will enable the program to succeed and foster ever larger deployments of fiber networks,” said Tom Starr, Chairman & President of the Broadband Forum. 

"The UNH-IOL is very pleased to host this event," said Lincoln Lavoie, Senior Engineer at the facility. "The collaboration between FSAN and the Broadband Forum demonstrates the type of commitment to open standards development and testing that the laboratory is proud to support."

Basic information about the event, including setup, configuration, testing and costs can be found at the 11th FSAN - GPON Test Event. Additional event questions can be directed to Jason Walls, Senior Technologist at +1-603-862-5051 or jwalls@iol.unh.edu at UNH-IOL. 

For information about joining the Broadband Forum and forum member participation in the FSAN GPON event, please contact Anabel Martinez at +1 510-492-4220 or amartinez@broadband-forum.org.

For media enquiries please contact Sheila Lashford on +44 (0) 1827 830247 or +44 (0) 7986 514240 or by email to sheila@splash-pr.biz

_{About the Broadband Forum
The Broadband Forum mission is to develop the full potential of broadband.  Following its union with the IP/MPLS Forum, the Broadband Forum is now the central body for next generation IP network specifications. This organization, comprising around 200 members of most of the world’s leading service providers, equipment manufacturers, chip vendors and other key organizations, defines and facilitates next generation networks for local broadband access, mobile backhaul, business services, IPTV, gaming and other applications, and is poised to address further developments as they arise.  The Broadband Forum’s formal BroadbandSuite™ Release Program, Technical Reports and specifications are publicly available at www.broadband-forum.org}

_{About Full Service Access Network (FSAN)
The Full Service Access Network (FSAN) Group is an interest group for the world's leading telecommunications services providers, independent test labs, and equipment suppliers to work towards a common goal of truly broadband fiber access networks. The FSAN group is an affiliation of international network operators and telecom vendors. For more information: http://fsanweb.com}

_{Abou UNH-IOL
Founded in 1988, the UNH-IOL is one of the networking industry’s premier third-party proving grounds for developing technologies. Approximately 200 companies use the UNH-IOL's 32,000+ sq. foot facility to extend their development and quality assurance efforts by testing and fine-tuning technologies, protocols and products for multi-vendor interoperability and conformance to standards.  For more information, visit http://www.iol.unh.edu}

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