UPDATED: ADC launches LoopStar Wi-Fi system

ATLANTA--ADC Telecommunications, following recent news and speculation about public network carriers offering Wi-Fi access by leveraging existing infrastructure, unveiled its new LoopStar Span Powered Wi-Fi system Monday at Supercomm.

The system supports applications in which Wi-Fi access points are extended from customer DSLAMs or from an ADC G.SHDSL PG-Flex Plus line shelf. In the first model, DSLAM capacity is used to apply span powering over G.SHDSL transport to the access point. In the second application, the PG-Flex Plus is deployed in a central office or outside plant cabinet to power via G.SHDSL to the access point.

The LoopStar configurations are expected to streamline the expense of deploying public Wi-Fi hot spots for carriers because skilled manual labor and AC power will not be needed.

ADC Chairman and CEO Rick Roscitt said the new system will help carriers decide how they want to be involved in the emerging Wi-Fi market because it helps them leverage existing assets.

Meanwhile, the company is considering how it will put the $400 million it raised in a convertible subordinated notes offering it issued last week to use, said Roscitt.

Roscitt said he has asked all of ADC’s business units to submit their growth plans so that the company can decide how best to invest the $400 million. While he offered no specifics, he did not rule out the possibility of acquisitions or strategic partnerships.

“What I want to do now is grow organically, and use this money we raised to do some inorganic growth as well,” Roscitt said.