TvTel Selects UTStarcom GEPON Technology For Fiber-To-The-Home Network In Portugal

Chicago, CA - NXTCOMM - UTStarcom, Inc. one of the leader in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and services, recently announced a contract to deploy its Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network (GEPON) solution with TvTel, an integrated multimedia service provider, for the operator's new fiber-to-the-home network in Portugal. Unitelco, a local technology company in Portugal with expertise deploying fiber and cutting-edge access networks, is serving as the integrator for the contract.

"UTStarcom's GEPON solution will serve as the foundation of our new fiber network and enable us to quickly, efficiently and affordably leapfrog our competitors in the race to deliver more bandwidth to the end user," said Paulo Pereira, executive director of TvTel. "Their innovative technology, coupled with their proven experience in successfully deploying large-scale fiber networks around the world, made UTStarcom a compelling partner to assist us in delivering triple play services in Portugal."

Launched in February, TVTel's bundled service package consists of high- speed data, voice and both analog and digital QAM television and is initially targeted at 5,000 subscribers in Oeiras, a city west of Lisbon.

"Our GEPON solution is an ideal FTTH technology because it leverages the simplicity of Ethernet and the high speeds of fiber," said Youssef Kassissia, vice president of sales in the Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for UTStarcom. "GEPON is an extremely cost-effective alternative to conventional copper-based access equipment while reducing points of failure and simplifying carriers' network architecture."

SOURCE: UTStarcom, Inc. and NXTCOMM