InCoax to trial MoCA Access 2.5 with US fibre network operator, makes management changes

Sweden-based InCoax is to trial its In:xtnd product, based on the MoCA (Multimedia over Coaxial Access) 2.5 platform, with an unnamed US fibre network operator in order to evaluate the product’s technical fit into the operator’s fibre network architecture. The US fibre operator, which is present in more than 10 US metropolitan areas nationwide, has placed a lab trial order for evaluating InCoax’s MoCA Access 2.5 platform. The order is worth SEK 23,000 and will be delivered in April, with the lab trial commencing immediately. The announcement follows a stream of partnership and reseller deals, along with a number of senior management changes.

The goal for this most recent lab trial is to test Gigabit symmetrical services with InCoax’s In:xtnd solution. Given successful lab evaluation, the companies will then enter into field trials followed by deployment in MDU buildings. The operator sees this opportunity as a more cost efficient and faster way to deploy their fibre strategy all the way to the subscriber home/office. Its aim is to reach MDU buildings in which it can’t deploy its current Fibre to LAN (data cable installation) deployment model for Gigabit services. Utilising the InCoax solution will also speed up the deployment to subscribers which is important in times when more bandwidth is required, such as when there is an increase in people working from home.

“This first US order from an expansive fibre operator for lab trial purposes is very encouraging, and may prove to be an important step for us to get a strong foothold on the US market. Their nationwide presence in major metropolitan areas, that have millions of residents in need of Gigabit internet services, looks very promising. We share their passion for problem-solving and commitment, so I have great hopes that this is a starting point for a long-term co-operation”, said Helge Tiainen, head of product management, marketing & sales, InCoax.

In:xtnd enables the benefits of fibre to be extended into Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs) which are already wired with coax, thereby saving operators the cost of re-cabling the premises with fibre. In:xtnd is aimed at cable MSOs, fibre-optic ISPs/network builders, telco’s and mobile operators, as well as systems integrators/resellers targeting the hospitality sector. In:xtnd can coexist with DOCSIS while also offering a far greater cost/performance benefit than DOCSIS 3.1.

The US trial is the latest in a number of announcements made by the company which include a partnership with integrators Infra-Comm Swiss and FCA, as well as German operator Deutsche Telenetz. In the last six months, InCoax has entered a reseller agreements with ELPA TV & Bredbandsteknik AB, a leading company in fibre networks, antenna/cable and broadband technology in the Stockholm region, and Swedish component supplier Barcom as well as a VAR agreement with Hirschmann Multimedia for the Dutch and Belgian markets.

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

InCoax has also undergone extensive management restructuring, with product and sourcing manager Jesper Cederholm, who has worked for the company since May 2018, departing in February, and the appointment of Emil Bendroth as the new CFO, with Helge Tianinen as new head of product management, marketing and sales. Tiainen currently holds the Chair of the MoCA Access Working Group and is a board member of the Broadband Forum, which with more than 160 of the world’s leading Telecom companies is engaged in standardisation of the next generation fixed broadband. Tianien also has connections to Tier 1 operators such as Deutsche Telekom, Telstra, Verizon and BT, and good industry contacts with Ericsson, Nokia, Juniper, Huawei, Maxlinear and Intel. In addition, Kevin Foster, former chairman of the Broadband Forum has also joined the company’s board of directors. However, the changes go right to the top of the company with departing CEO Peter Carlsson being replaced by Jörgen Ekengren, who has been employed by the Company since 2018 when he assumed the role of COO. InCoax says Carlsson will be available for the company until September 2020.

For more information, visit www.incoax.com