Globalcomm: ZyXel launches field-tested VDSL 2

CHICAGO--ZyXel is putting VDSL2 on the map, announcing both new VDSL2-based terminals for fiber-to-the-node and fiber-to-the-curb networks and VDSL2 line cards for its existing IP-DSLAM products.

The Anaheim, Calif.-based subsidiary of the Taiwanese-owned company is using its experience in Asian deployments of VDSL2 to bring the product to the North American market. VDSL-2 was ratified as a standard in May 2005, to deliver up to 100 Mb/s downstream and up to 50 Mb/s upstream, over distances of up to 12 kilofeet.

“Our product has been shipping in Asia for a while,” said Frances Shen, product manager, DSL/COE at ZyXel. “We have major telco customers in Asia, and we are shipping over 5 million ports of VDSL2 already. We want to be ahead of everybody else, and we already have the experience in tuning the VDSL performance.”

ZyXel, which started selling modems in 1989 and counts EarthLink and Sprint among its DSL modem customers, is hoping to parlay its VDSL2 experience into a bigger U.S. footprint, said Jake Saila, marketing manager.

The company will be exhibiting the VDSL2 technology in the form of the VES-1616F-34, a 16-port temperature-hardened VDSL switch, which can be deployed in FTTN or FTTC networks to deliver triple-play services over the copper drop. In addition, ZyXel will display its IES 5000 and IES 5005 IP DSLAM products with working VDSL 2 line cards.

“Our IP DSLAMs can support various kinds of DSL flavors--G.SHDSL, ADSL, ADSL2+--and we are adding the VDSL2 product, which gives service providers more flexibility,” Shen said.

Part of VDSL2’s power is the symmetrical nature of its bandwidth, which makes the technology good for T-1 replacement and peer-to-peer applications, she added.