Not wanting their telecom competitors to have all the fun, Falcon Broadband has launched what they claim to be is the first GPON FTTH network for a cable company. Falcon is a cable overbuilder, operating a triple play network in Colorado Springs, CO with about 6,000 subscribers. They currently compete with both Qwest and Comcast. They also provide broadband wireless throughout their service territory. Randy DeYoung, Falcon’s CEO, commented that “…as a cable TV operator, Falcon will have the ability to offer both RF video services and advanced IPTV services via their leading edge fiber optic network.”
Technologies like GPON contribute to a “blurring of the line” between cable and telco. In the not too distant future, we may not be able to tell the difference. Falcon is a great example. They identify themselves as a cable company, yet they compete with Comcast using IPTV service over their FTTH plant and also operate a Lucent 5ESS telephone switch. How many traditional telecom companies have similar set ups? Quite a few. DeYoung thinks GPON will future proof his company and allow them to gain competitive advantage over Comcast and Qwest. With GPON, DeYoung says, “who cares about DOCSIS 3.0. And DSL, huh…please.”