TMCnews Featured Article


September 29, 2009

Feds Clear Aurora Networks' Cable Products for Broadband Stimulus Program

By Michael Dinan, TMCnet Editor


Days after reports emerged that a digital TV provider is the largest seeker of broadband stimulus funds, a Santa Clara, Calif.-based optical transport solution provider for cable MSOs today announced that its technology can be used by cable operators receiving grants and loans under the federal program.
 
Officials at Aurora Networks Inc. said their so-called “Traditional HFC, Fiber Deep and RFoG” products have earned the designation of “product acceptance” from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service and Rural Development Telecommunications Program.
 
John Dahlquist, vice president of marketing at Aurora Networks, said the technologies have already generated lots of interest among mid-sized cable operators looking for cost-effective and environmentally-sound solutions to evolve their networks.
 
“With the acceptance of Aurora Networks’ products into the RUS program, we can help these cable operators take the next big steps in their evolution by providing cost-effective, energy efficient and optimized platforms that deliver next-generation cable services,” Dahlquist said.
 
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – better known as the “economic stimulus package” made $7.2 billion available to extend high-speed Internet to unserved and under-served areas.
 
Aurora Networks’ offerings now form part of the federal government’s “List of Acceptable Materials,” which includes products and technologies that can be utilized by companies seeking financing for the development or expansion of broadband infrastructure.
 
The Aurora Networks products are designed to allow cable operators to quickly and efficiently upgrade or extend their networks – and experts say that’s a key consideration contained within RUS loan applications.
 
Specifically, the Aurora products include:
 
·         Traditional HFC Solution — With its advanced line of optical transport products, Aurora Networks is the ideal partner for cable operators and their HFC deployments. Aurora Networks has the leading-edge technology to enable operators to cost-effectively meet their network and bandwidth needs.
·         Aurora Networks’ “Green” Fiber Deep Solution — By driving fiber deep into the network, cable companies can meet their bandwidth needs while reducing the number of actives and power supplies within their operations. Fiber Deep enables cable operators to go green by achieving significant reductions in cost and energy consumption, while at the same time delivering new services and high bandwidth capabilities to subscribers.
·         RFoG — Aurora Networks’ RFoG solutions enable cable operators to take advantage of FTTP architectures, incorporating unique components to overcome the deployment limitations associated with more traditional approaches.
 
According to Dahlquist, those behind the RUS broadband loan effort want to expand the reach of this funding as much as possible, hoping the dollars put into the program go the extra mile for consumers who don’t yet have access to advanced communications services.
 
“Our future-proof technologies provide cable operators with the ability to cost-effectively upgrade their networks while at the same time getting the service support they need to upgrade their infrastructure, all critical components for any operator applying for RUS dollars,” he said.

Michael Dinan is a contributing editor for TMCnet, covering news in the IP communications, call center and customer relationship management industries. To read more of Michael's articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Michael Dinan