Acterna back on track with new test system and training

CHICAGO--Test equipment company Acterna grew its business by 18% from last year and came to Supercomm to show how it has been investing its money. The company launched the Comprehensive Application System (CAS-2000), a low-cost edge-based testing solution for metro applications. Acterna also launched VoIP training and education programs.

Acterna CEO John Peeler said the industry is beginning to turn around again thanks in part to the battle over the end user with triple-play services and VoIP. “One thing that has proven true is the idea of bundling services, but people will only bundle if it saves them money,” Peeler said.

His job is to save money on the service provider end, so his company introduced the low-cost CAS-2000.

The CAS-2000 is a high-density solution for remotely managing digital services such as the DS1, but also scales up to DS3 and down to DS0. It provides remote test coverage from multi-service provisioning platforms (MSPPs) as well as small digital cross connect systems or add/drop multiplexors.

The system supports up to 16 facility access digroups or 14 dual FADs and has an IP communications link for WAN connectivity.

Acterna beefed up its handheld capabilities as well by adding datacom and Frame Relay test functionality to its HST-3000. Datacom capabilities come by way of an add-on module while the Frame Relay function can be added through downloadable software.

“We know how to make tools that help first line techs complete their jobs,” Peeler said.

The datacom module provides all the necessary data interfaces and can emulate data terminating equipment and data communications equipment (DTE/DCE.)

Acterna’s Global Services Division introduced a series of educational course flows designed to train network operators on advanced services such as VoIP. The course flows already include training on fiber transport, IP/VPN and access technologies.