That was one of my first knee-jerks, too, when I saw the term laser in the same paragraph with LU. But I soon realized that it was just lousy reporting. They are referring to the laser transmitter modules in the fiber optic equipment. Here is a clip from their technology page:
winfirst.com
"In the WIN architecture, fiber will be deployed deeper into the network than any other major residential broadband provider to date. The final connection to the home will be made by installation of a bonded coaxial cable and fiber optic cable. Telephone and data transmissions will be carried over the fiber, while video signals will be carried over coaxial cable. A network interface unit at each customer's location will provide the connection between the network and the end-user."
Also, at first blush it seems that they didn't go all the way due to their inclusion of coaxial technology. But my sense is that this is a transitional measure for them, and as soon as MPEG offerings begin appearing that could be supported by the fiber broadband delivery, users will begin making the decision for the carriers, and the industry at large, as to what their preferences are... i.e., how they wish to access their video and other entertainment services.
In this scenario the term broadband is justified. Platforms like the one described at their web site will naturally begin supporting Internet-based video content over the fiber facility, same-o same-o, as any other Internet traffic, instead of imposing throughput caps. Which will result in down-shifting their dependence off of the coax at some point.
If they are experiencing significant enough profits from services on the coax branch, then they may just may keep the coax based services going for as long as they can milk it. But it wont be because they absolutely have to at some point. When the technology supports video over 10 or 40 or 100 Gb/E, or any other Layer 2 transport, carriers who have ftth installed should be ready for it. |
