Three RBOCs Issue Joint Requirements for Fiber to the Premises

BellSouth, SBC Communications Inc. and Verizon have adopted a set of common technical requirements for fiber to the premises (FTTP) technology and are seeking proposals from vendors based on those requirements. The company’s say the announcement is a major step in paving the way for deployment of next-generation broadband networks that offer nearly limitless bandwidth for home and business Internet, voice and innovative new video services.

FTTP, whether to the curb or to the building, will provide an ideal platform to support a number of emerging and evolving applications, such as interactive gaming, photo sharing, PC backup and telecommuting, along with video conferencing, premises surveillance, and other novel video services, which could be delivered on demand and in high-definition, according to the RBOCs.

The use of common technical requirements, based on existing technical standards, will enable equipment manufacturers to more cost-effectively develop and build FTTP equipment for BellSouth, SBC Communications, Verizon, and other service providers, they said in a release issued today. The three service providers have issued a letter to telecom equipment manufacturers, alerting them that the providers will soon be seeking proposals for equipment based on the common requirements. BellSouth, SBC, and Verizon will independently finalize their FTTP deployment plans for 2004 and beyond, based on the evaluation of these proposals, ongoing internal studies, and on the resolution of related regulatory issues.

The FCC is expected to soon issue its final order under its Triennial Review of network interconnection regulations. That ruling, the first of several anticipated, is expected to include provisions that more clearly set forth the FCC's policy regarding new network technologies like FTTP, including the extent to which unbundling and pricing regulations such as those imposed on traditional copper technologies will apply on a nationwide basis. The FCC also has additional proceedings under way to address other potential regulatory hurdles to deployment of these new technologies.

"Fiber to the premises could be the most fundamental and important enhancement in telecom communications services since wireless networks were built," said Matt Davis, director of Broadband Access Technologies at the Yankee Group, who the RBOCs quoted in their joint press release. "With these common technology requirements, and the expected resulting manufacturing economies, widespread FTTP deployment has the potential to spur new telecom investment, stimulate competition across the spectrum of communications and entertainment services, and enable innovative, bandwidth-hungry applications for consumers."

"BellSouth has always been a leader in the deployment of fiber deep within its network, resulting in almost one million households passed by the end of 2003," said Bill Smith, chief product development and technology officer, BellSouth. "This new platform, along with favorable regulatory actions, could allow BellSouth to offer additional advantages to our customers, and we plan to work quickly to select and deploy products that will ensure the most cost-effective network design."

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