Verizon Claims FiOS Home Network Advances

When Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) reported its quarterly numbers this week, some information seemed to get lost, something the company talked about last week that could represent an important breakthrough in home networking.

The telco TV triple-play provider said deployment of new routers from vendors Actiontec Electronics Inc. and Westell Technologies Inc. (WSTL) will boost speeds over in-home coax from 75mbps to 175mbps and support multiple Wi-Fi networks.

Verizon didn’t give a timeline for the rollout of the broadband routers, saying only that the devices will be “ready for deployment in the third quarter.” The company also didn’t say if there would be any charge for the units for FiOS customers.

While home networking advances generally are important, Verizon’s announcement is worthy of focus because of its past efforts in this area. The provider launched its multiroom DVR capability for FiOS nearly a year ago, while telco and cable rivals have yet to ante up. The telco’s gurus created the home network underpinning required for multiroom DVR by mixing Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) standards and processes with its own “secret sauce.”

"Verizon is already well into the second generation of technology for our fiber-to-the-home access network, and it's time to upgrade the home network technology as well," said Brian Whitton, executive director of Verizon’s access network design and integration unit, in prepared comments.

Instead of returning to the off-the-shelf approach, Verizon had Actiontec and Westell custom-build the broadband boxes for FiOS use. Verizon has worked before with both companies. And while there’s an argument to be made against the implementation of proprietary devices, operators can achieve and sustain differentiation with such products – like not launching late or providing a “me-too” product.

The Actiontec and Westell devices “will take our FiOS services far beyond anything in the marketplace right now and propel our FiOS customer base toward the kind of home that networking futurists once promised but we can now deliver," said Tushar Saxena, director of home network technologies for Verizon, in a press release. He also is a regular speaker and presenter at broadband-focused shows.

Verizon’s new equipment includes the MI424-WR by Actiontec and the UltraLine Series 3 model 9100 by Westell. They will enable modular expansion using a USB interface, so that shared storage servers, printers, peripherals and other devices can be added as needed.

Verizon said the new routers will use MoCA 1.1, which increases the speed of signals over coaxial cable in the home. In many cases, too, MoCA 1.1 obviates the need to place Ethernet links to additional PCs because an even broader, faster signal can run over coax already in place. This simplifies installation for both Verizon technicians and customers, the telco said.

Verizon further noted that the MoCA 1.1 distribution technology increases to 15 from seven the number of set-top boxes or other devices that can operate simultaneously on the coax portion of the FiOS home network.

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