Oct 25 2012
Calix, Inc. today announced the addition of the 836GE Residential Services Gateway (RSG) to the Calix Unified Access portfolio. With the 836GE RSG, communications service providers can extend their access networks into the subscriber's home, acting as a central management hub for all broadband-enabled devices within the home.
A fully managed network device, the 836GE RSG introduces the potential for service providers to generate new revenues through in-home services and enhance the quality of the subscribers' broadband service experience. The 836GE RSG combines the functionality of a 700GE optical network terminal (ONT) with advanced selectable band 802.11n Wi-Fi and internal multi-input multi-output (MIMO) spatial diversity antennas. The 836GE RSG also features four gigabit Ethernet ports that can be provisioned to operate independently or in a full bridged mode, to support whole home DVR deployments. Initially, the 836GE RSG will be available as a point-to-point gigabit Ethernet premises device, but utilizing Calix auto-detect technology will be able to support GPON in an upcoming software release.
"The Town of Enfield, as a participant in New Hampshire FastRoads, is excited about working with Calix as we begin the residential build out of our fiber-to-the-home project," said Steve Schneider, town manager for the town of Enfield, New Hampshire. "The Calix 836GE RSG is an excellent fit for our open access network, which places an emphasis on flexibility and options for our residents."
Andrew Cohill, president and CEO of Design Nine, which designed and manages the New Hampshire FastRoads project, added, "We conducted an extensive evaluation of several different vendor equipment solutions, and Calix demonstrated that their equipment is 'open access ready' out of the box. Calix really understands what is needed to support a true open access network environment with multiple providers offering dozens of services."
By combining the 836GE RSG with the recently launched Calix Consumer Connect software application, an even more powerful set of tools emerges for service providers. Part of the Compass suite of applications tools, Consumer Connect is cloud-based software that integrates with customer premises devices, like the 836GE RSG, to remotely activate and manage broadband devices within home networks. With IP applications that are sensitive to latency and jitter proliferating throughout the home, service providers must address troubleshooting and service delivery quality challenges among subscribers. The combination of the 836GE RSG and the Consumer Connect application serves as a 24/7 virtual technician for service providers within their subscribers' homes, allowing them to manage and troubleshoot all the way to the consumer's IP device and differentiate themselves from the competition through superior customer service.
"The addition of the 836GE RSG to the Calix Unified Access portfolio marks a major step forward for our customers as they continue their march towards transforming their networks to all-IP services, via Ethernet, over both fiber and wireless," said Robert Balsamo, Calix vice president of product strategy. "The 836GE RSG makes great strides in extending fiber access networks into the home and opening up a number of new service and revenue possibilities for our customers. As the basis of competition shifts to focus on the broadband experience of subscribers, solutions like the 836GE RSG will give service providers the tools they need to become more operationally efficient and create a unique and always-connected experience for their end-user customers."
The 836GE RSG is built on the foundation of the Calix 700GE family of ONTs, the most widely deployed fiber access solution in North America. The following features are also built into the 836GE RSG:
A consumer friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) for the wireless router, featuring simple set up for the majority of consumers, but also allowing tech savvy consumers the ability to access many features and settings
A second GUI, accessible only to the service provider, enables remote provisioning and troubleshooting
Support for both dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) and point-to-point protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) activation, along with a variety of security features and filters as part of its firewall
Ability to operate as a router or as a bridge, if the consumer chooses to utilize their own router
To see the 836GE RSG, a finalist for the TelcoTV Vision Award for Best Innovation in Broadband Access Networks, visit Calix at Booth #517/518 during exhibit hours at TelcoTV 2012, October 24-26 in Las Vegas.