Alaskan communications service provider GCI has deployed CommScope’s RD2322 RxD as a Remote MACPHY Device (RMD) as part of its implementation of Distributed Access Architecture (DAA), the technology provider states. The deployment, the first of its kind for the RMD, will continue to support the delivery of 2-Gbps broadband services in 19 Alaska communities.
The RD2322, which earned 4 Diamonds in this year’s Diamond Technology Reviews program, is designed to be deployed as either an RMD or Remote PHY Device (RPD; see "CommScope accepting orders for CommScope RD2322 (RxD) combo Remote PHY/Remote MACPHY device"). GCI chose to deploy the unit in RMD mode in its fielded CommScope NC4000 fiber nodes – merely by swapping the node lid, according to CommScope.
“GCI is now among the first to deploy Remote MACPHY in its broadband network, and we credit our longstanding partnership with CommScope for our successful launch,” said Victor Esposito, vice president, engineering, GCI. “The deployment of RMDs paves the way for GCI’s launch of 2-gig internet in the coming months and our journey to 10G in the next five years. RMD technology also allows us to move internet distribution from the centralized headend out into neighborhood nodes, enabling GCI to provide more reliable, better quality, and higher performance service to our customers. We look forward to working with CommScope to deploy RMDs throughout our network in Alaska.”
“CommScope deeply understands the imperative to transition networks to DAA,” said Ric Johnsen, senior vice president and segment leader, broadband networks, CommScope. “We designed the RD2322 platform to cater to the broad needs of our operator customers—whether they’re going directly to Remote MACPHY, like GCI, or are choosing to start with Remote PHY. The RMD leverages over 20 years of field-hardened software as well as seamless integration with legacy back-office infrastructure to make this high-profile transition simple and reliable.”