We’ve got FiOS questions, and the Verizon Policy Blog‘s got answers. A few weeks ago ZNF was given to opportunity to participate in quizzing Brian Whitton, Executive Director of Access Network Design and Integration for Verizon. So Mari, Davis, and I plus a few readers submitted questions.
My question:
The Verizon FiOS TV franchise was recently approved in my neighborhood, though I’ve heard from a variety of sources that fiber won’t be run to apartment buildings. As an apartment dweller (in a 40 year old building with hundreds of units), is this accurate? If so, is this a technical or financial issue?
Brian’s answer:
Serving MDU’s with FTTP is a very important part of Verizon’s FiOS strategy. Our network construction of the fiber plant passes not only single family residences, but includes MDU’s as well. Our preference would be to serve MDU’s by pulling the fiber directly in the living unit and placing an identical ONT to what is used to serve single family homes in the living unit. We are currently serving many MDU’s with this design. In cases where we will be unable to pull fiber from the basement or entry point of the MDU to the living unit, we have certified other types of ONTs, namely a MDU ONT. This ONT would be located within the MDU, typically in the equipment room in the basement of the MDU, and would use the existing wiring in the MDU to carry high speed data and video to the living units.
For all the questions and answers, check out Part 1 and Part 2 over on Verizon’s site.
For the uninitiated, here’s a quick glossary of terms.
MDU: Multiple-Dwelling Unit
FTTP: Fiber to the Premises
ONT: Optical Networking Terminal