Aurora Networks today announced that it’s developing a new access solution for its optical nodes, BitCoax, that will enable cable operators to deliver high-speed data services over existing coax from the node to the subscriber.

 

By extending the RF spectrum of an MSO’s coax plant above 1 GHz, BitCoax will enable provision of data services at speeds of hundreds of megabits per second, Aurora officials say. According to company sources, the new data services will integrate with the MSO’s current product offerings along with established back office operations and procedures.

 

With BitCoax, cable operators will be able to leverage their current HFC architecture to deliver new services without expensive plant upgrades or changes to their back office provisioning and operating systems, company officials say. BitCoax will support data rates far in excess of cable modem solutions by using the same provisioning and billing systems, according to the company. Aurora officials say they believe the integration will enable efficient deployment and operation for the MSO.

 

With the new access technology, operators won’t have to upgrade their nodes or replace their coax with fiber to deliver competitive services to bandwidth-hungry residential users or businesses, according to the company.

 

John Dahlquist, vice president of marketing for Aurora, said that the coax plant has a “huge” amount of untapped capacity, and that the company’s node can help cable operators exploit that bandwidth, optimally in a “Fiber Deep” architecture. He said that Aurora helps MSOs extend their lead against their competitors by enabling operators to offer ultra high-speed data services without changing their network operations.