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Telecommunications industry

Pacific Bell's Fiber-Coax Network Upgrade Delayed Due to Modifications

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pacific Bell's plans for its fiber-coax network upgrade have hit a slight snag due to modifications the company has requested from its manufacturers. The changes are not dramatic, but they have caused a delay in the construction schedule of a couple of months. According to Keith Cambron, Pacific Bell's director of systems engineering, the modifications involve altering traditional cable TV equipment to transport telephony. This has required manufacturers to redesign and produce components with higher performance specifications. As a result, the company will continue with its cable-placing phase for a bit longer before starting the splicing phase.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pacific Bell's fiber-coax network upgrade will be delayed by a couple of months due to modifications requested from manufacturers.
  • The modifications involve altering traditional cable TV equipment to transport telephony, which requires redesigning and producing components with higher performance specifications.
  • The company has started most aerial work and is in the construction phase of the upgrade.
  • Pacific Bell plans to engage in controlled introductions of telephony on hybrid fiber-coax in March 1999.
  • After a three-month study of service network performances in 1,000 homes, the company will begin full-scale rollout in the middle of 1999.
  • The network upgrade is expected to reach about five million homes by the year 2000.
  • Pacific Bell has chosen the majority of its suppliers in tandem with AT&T Network Systems.
  • The company plans to offer interactive video services to San Diego residents a year earlier than planned.

Statistics:

  • The fiber-coax network upgrade will cover about five million homes by the year 2000.
  • The full-scale rollout is expected to begin in the middle of 1999.
  • The study of service network performances in 1,000 homes will last about three months.
  • The controlled introductions of telephony on hybrid fiber-coax are slated for March 1999.
  • Pacific Bell will engage in interactive trials in San Diego, offering video services a year earlier than planned.

Sources:

  • Keith Cambron, Pacific Bell's director of systems engineering, 510/806-5770.

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