As I was working on the Van Kasper report, I remembered I had some information on MRVC's optical duplexer and triplexer, wireless, and their return path lasers. This information is now 2 years old (from the June 1997 Penn Merchant report, (another great report that was 15 pages long), but still pertinent.
from page 8:
"MRVC is developing return path lasers aimed at cable TV equipment manufacturers. These products will enable cable companies to add interactive content and to monitor network quality. Whereas downstream lasers are expensive, more powerful and can accomodate more channels, return path lasers are inexpensive and more suitable for diagnostics and limited upstream communications (such as Internet access). These lasers are installed in cable pedestals (junction boxes outside the home or office) with each servicing 100-200 homes. MRVC began shipping these products in early 1997, with General Instruments as it's primary customer. Return path lasers sell for approximately $700 per unit."
"In 1996 MRVC introduced a fiber duplexer that permits the transmission of voice and data over a single optical fiber, effectively doubling the capacity of each fiber. Over the last year, the company has worked with a Regional Bell Operating Company (RBOC) to develop its duplexer, and is currently selling this product at the rate of 10,000 units per year. Management indicates sales could increase dramatically over the next one to two years [and they have] and we believe MRVC could potentially sell hundreds of thousands of duplexers each year as fiber creeps closer to the home. On average, one duplexer can accomodate four to eight homes, and each unit carries an average price of $150."
"MRVC PCS/wireless telecommunications products sit at the intersection of wireless and fiber optics, translating RF signals into photons and vice-versa. The company expects to have these products available in 1998, with an average selling price of $500-$1,500 per unit. There are several new market opportunities for this technology, including wireless PBXs and local loop bypass services whereby the RBOC's effective monopoly over the local exchange can be circumvented by wireless local exchange carriers."
"MRVC has developed an optical triplexer (aimed at telephone companies) that can accomodate voice, data and cable TV. This new technology is based on wave division multiplexing (WDM) that uses two different colors (wavelengths) of light and the duplexer technology mentioned earlier to triple bandwidth. MRVC is currently working with RBOCs and has just begun to ship sample quantities of its triplexers. These triplexers cost $200-$500 per unit, with each unit able to handle four to eight homes. Volume shipments are expected by early 1998." |
