Optical & Fixed Networks

Alcatel-Lucent and DEN Networks partner for GPON access in India

Alcatel-Lucent and Indian cable operator DEN Networks are launching ultra-broadband Internet connectivity using GPON fixed access, IP routing and aggregation technologies. 

Broadband penetration in India is predominantly wireless-based today, with only 18.9 million people accessing the Internet via fixed connections – a fraction of the country’s 85 million broadband and 267 million total Internet users.  Increased uptake of video is driving demand for higher speed broadband connectivity in the home and enterprises too want faster data delivery. 

DEN Networks is offering services in the fast-growing broadband market, where cable and satellite pay-TV subscribers are estimated to rise to 175 million by 2019, from 139 million today.  With a customer-base for its cable TV service of 13 million throughout 200 cities, DEN Networks plans to use fibre-optic access technology to expand its ‘DEN Boomband’ broadband service to 8.5 million city homes within three years.

Since September 2015, Alcatel-Lucent has been deploying its GPON (gigabit passive optical networking) fibre-to-the-home, Ethernet aggregation and Broadband Network Gateway IP routing technologies with DEN Networks, delivering services to new customers as well as those already served by the existing DOCSIS-based network. In some areas of the network Alcatel-Lucent’s technology is providing backhaul connectivity, with the existing coaxial cable being used for ‘last-mile’ service delivery. 

This agreement highlights Alcatel-Lucent’s growing momentum addressing the needs of cable MSOs, a key focus of the company’s diversification strategy and marks an important commercial breakthrough for Alcatel-Lucent in the cable market in India.

Alcatel-Lucent is providing its GPON technology to enable high-speed ultra-broadband access for homes and businesses using both fibre-to-the-home and fibre-to-the-node technologies to serve individual and multi-dwelling residences. GPON technology will deliver higher bandwidth capacity than DEN Networks existing DOCSIS networks, allowing it to support three to four times more users with guaranteed symmetrical upload and download speeds.

Alcatel-Lucent’s technology will allow DEN Networks to launch its ‘DEN Boomband’ broadband service and deliver a high-quality broadband experience to customers. The technology will allow DEN Networks to smoothly scale and expand services to more subscribers’ homes and to the rapidly growing enterprise sector.

Pradeep Parameswaran of DEN Networks said: “We are committed to delivering the fastest high speed experience to our business and residential subscribers in India. Broadband is our key thrust area and we constantly strive to make the experience fast and consistent for our customers.”

Srini Sundararajan of Alcatel-Lucent said: “Under The Shift Plan we identified how, as leaders in IP networking and ultra-broadband access, we could help MSOs transform their networks. Working with the DEN Networks on an in-depth study and trials, we were able to show how our IP routing and GPON technology would help it scale to better meet the growing demands of their customers.”



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