Verizon Begins Deploying Breakthrough Optical Technology That Saves Space and Makes It Easier to Install FiOS Services in Apartment Buildings

As a pioneer in the development of fiber-to-the-premises technology, Verizon has broken new ground again by initiating the development of new, much smaller optical network terminals (ONTs) that it has begun to deploy at new FiOS installations in apartment complexes.

The new ONTs, about the size of a basic home router, take up a minimum amount of space in an apartment - they can be placed under desks or on shelves - and simplify the installation of Verizon FiOS Internet and FiOS TV services.

The electronic devices link Verizon's fiber-optic network to the wiring inside a customer's home and convert light pulses into electromagnetic signals that are fed to the broadband home router and TV set-top boxes that provide the FiOS TV and broadband services.

One of the two new devices, the Alcatel-Lucent I-21 1M-K indoor ONT, measures just 1 1/4 inches high, 8 1/2 inches wide and 5 1/2 inches deep.  The other device, the Motorola ONT 1000 GTI indoor ONT, is slightly larger.

"Space is a precious commodity in apartment buildings, and these new, smaller ONTs were specifically designed with that in mind," said Eric Cevis, vice president of Verizon Enhanced Communities, the Verizon business unit that markets and sells communications, broadband and entertainment services to single-family communities, multiple dwelling-unit communities, and small and medium commercial sites. "We've downsized the equipment and minimized the hassles for property owners, making FiOS an even more attractive service offering for residents of multidwelling units."

The two versions of the smaller ONTs are being deployed in parts of the New York, Southern California and Tampa Bay markets.  Alcatel and Motorola developed the equipment, based on Verizon specifications.  The ONTs are being exhaustively tested in product development laboratories and in customers' homes and have the potential to be a powerful addition to the FiOS experience.

According to Vincent O'Byrne, technology director at Verizon's product and technology development labs in Waltham, Mass., the new ONTs were designed to meet a challenging set of specifications and were developed to better serve the multiple-dwelling unit (MDU) market.

"Building owners and residents alike will appreciate the simplicity these new ONTs bring to the installation and use of FiOS services," he said. "By running fiber from the point of entry to the new, smaller ONTs, installers can make fewer runs of coaxial and computer cables.  As a result, the whole installation experience will be cleaner and simpler for the customers."

(Note: To see a video that shows how Verizon deploys its FiOS service in multiple-dwelling units, and the smaller ONT, visit http://verizon.mediaseed.tv/Story.aspx?story=36860.)

Cevis said, "FiOS customers in MDUs are the beneficiaries of our passion to continually push the technology that supports our fiber-to-the-home initiative.  We're confident that building owners, condo boards and residents alike will appreciate this innovation."

Earlier this year, Verizon received from a committee of multifamily property owners, developers and managers the first Outstanding Multifamily Partner Award for developing and customizing the deployment of FiOS to work specifically for the multifamily community.

Property owners and developers interested in bringing Verizon's FiOS services to their properties can visit www.verizon.com/communities or call 1-866-MDU-6066 (1-866-638-6066) for more information.