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February 28, 2013

EXFO Helps Field Agents Troubleshoot LTE, Gigabit Network Connections with Packet Synchronization in NetBlazer 2.0

The number of people demanding broadband Internet connections is on the rise, putting pressure on Internet service providers. One way to meet the required bandwidth is by upgrading the network to support up to 10Gbps connections.

To ensure that such connections remain in good working condition, EXFO, Inc. has added new functionalities to its Netblazer 2.0 series, a comprehensive portable test suite used by field agents in trouble shooting Ethernet, Fiber Channel and SyncE/1588 PTP services.

EXFO, a reputable player in the providence of innovative test and service assurance solutions for wired and wireless network operators, has announced the addition of packet synchronization testing functionalities in the NetBlazer 2.0 series. The added functionality addresses the problem introduced by the deployment of LTE networks and packet-based backhaul.

This new technique works with a different synchronization approach, making it untraceable using traditional synchronization technologies.

By using packet-based synchronization, the NetBlazer can now safely pinpoint all errors in a network and easily synchronize small cells. The ability to synchronize small cells is crucial in LTE networks, since it is one of the few keys to effectively manage the LTE-advanced spectrum, and expand network coverage while boosting network capacity.

With the new network-testing tool, operators can now solve cell-site deployment challenges precisely and within the shortest time possible. By combining the revamped NetBlazer with SyncWatch-110 Synchronization Test Unit, EXFO delivers the ultimate solution that gives accurate and detailed sync validation and monitoring in any given network.

Etienne Gagnon, the VP of EXFO’s Test and Measurement division, is of the opinion that small cells and Ethernet backhaul links with packet synchronization validation is one of the major concerns for operators. “Being able to test and troubleshoot all these services with one comprehensive tool gives them the flexibility to adapt operational processes and make their field teams as efficient as possible,” he said.

The ARCchart forecast places the annual shipment of small cells to five million per year. This staggering figure logically demands that operators look for ways to validate and trouble shoot packet-based services faster and efficiently than ever.

Small cells will literally own the market, and hence have the power to dictate operator success or failure.




Edited by Braden Becker


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